w 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIFT  OF 

MRS.'  MARY  WOLFSOHN 

IN   MEMORY  OF 

HENRY  WOLFSOHN 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


OF 


MASONRY 


WILLIAM  PRESTON, 
«/ 

PAST  MASTER  OP  THE  LODGE  Off  ANTIQUITY.      ACTING  BY  IMMEMORIAL  CONSTITUTION. 


'  The  man,  whose  mind  on  virtue  bent, 
Pursues  some  greatly  good  intent 

With  undiverted  aim; 
Serene  beholds  the  angry  crowd, 
Nor  can  their  clamors  fierce  and  loud 

TTia  stubborn  honor  tame." — BLACKLOCK. 


WITH  COPIOUS  NOTES  AND  ADDITIONS, 


BY 


GEORGE   OLIVER,  D.D., 

AUTHOR  OF   "THE  HISTORICAL  LANDMARKS,"    "THE   HISTORY   OP  INITIATION, 
"ANTIQUITIES  OP  PREEMASONRY,"   "STAR  IN  THE  EAST,"  ETC. 


NEW  YORK: 


MASONIC  PUBLISHING  AND  MANUFACTURING  CO,, 

432   BROOME    STREET. 

1867. 


TO 
HIS    ROYAL,    HIGHNESS 

AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,   DUKE   OF  SUSSEX, 

EARL   OF   INVERNESS,    BARON   OF   ARKLOW, 

KNIGHT   OF   THE   MOST   NOBLE   ORDER   OF   THE    GARTER. 

COLONEL   OF   THE    HONOURABLE   ARTILLERY   COMPANY   OF   LONDON, 

PRESIDENT   OF   THE   SOCIETY   FOR  THE 
ENCOURAGEMENT   OF   ARTS,    MANUFACTURES,    AND   COMMERCE, 

AND   MOST   WORSHIPFUL 
GRAND   MASTER   OF   THE   UNITED   GRAND   LODGE 

OF 
ANCIENT   FREEMASONS   OF   ENGLAND; 

A   PRINCE 

HIGHLY   ENDEARED   TO   EVERY   FRIEND   OF   HUMANITY, 

HUT   IN    AN    ESPECIAL   MANNER 

TO   THE   ANCIENT   AND    HONOURABLE 

FRATERNITY    OF   FREE   AND   ACCEPTED   MASONS, 

ON  WHOM   HE   HAS   CONFERRED   INDELIBLE   OBLIGATIONS; 

THIS  NEW  EDITION 
of  a  popular  JJicaa  >c  on  |ttaffonr$ 

IS  INSCRIBED,    WITH    PROFOUND   RESPECT, 

BY 
HIS   ROYAL   HIGHNESS'S 

MOST   DEVOTED   HUMBLE   SERVANT, 

THE  EDITOR. 


PREFACE 


THE  favourable  reception  this  Treatise  has  met  with, 
in  the  several  Editions  through  which  it  has  passed, 
encourages  the  Author  to  hope  that  its  appearance  on  a 
more  enlarged  scale  will  not  render  it  less  deserving  the 
countenance  of  his  Brethren.  He  would  be  wanting  in 
gratitude  to  his  friends,  not  to  acknowledge  his  obliga- 
tions to  several  gentlemen  for  many  curious  extracts,  and 
the  perusal  of  some  valuable  manuscripts,  which  have 
enabled  him  to  illustrate  his  subject  with  greater  accu- 
racy and  precision. 

This  Tract  is  divided  into  four  Books. — In  the  First 
Book,  the  excellency  of  Masonry  is  displayed.  In  the 
Second  Book,  the  general  plan  of  the  subjects  treated  in  the 
three  Degrees  is  illustrated,  with  occasional  remarks ;  and 
a  brief  description  is  given  of  the  ancient  Ceremonies  of  the 
Order.  This  part  of  the  Treatise,  which  the  Author  con- 
siders most  essential  for  the  instruction  and  improvement 
of  his  Brethren,  is  considerably  extended  in  the  later  Edi- 
tions. The  Third  Book  contains  the  copy  of  a  curious 
old  Manuscript  on  Masonry,  with  annotations,  the  better 
to  explain  this  authentic  document  of  antiquity.  The 
Fourth  Book  is  restricted  to  the  history  of  Masonry  from 
its  first  appearance  in  England,  to  the  year  1812,1  in 
which  are  introduced  the  most  remarkable  occurrences 
of  the  Society,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  with  some 

1  The  date  of  the  Twelfth  Edition.— Eon. 


VI  PREFACE. 

account  of  the  principal  Patrons  and  Protectors  of 
the  Fraternity  at  different  periods.  The  progress  of 
Masonry  on  the  continent,  as  well  as  in  India  and 
America,  is  also  traced,  while  the  proceedings  of  the 
Brethren  in  Scotland  particularly  claim  attention. 
Throughout  the  whole  are  interspersed  several  explana- 
tory notes,  containing  some  useful  information;  and  a 
few  general  remarks  are  introduced  on  some  of  the  late 
publications  against  the  Society  of  Freemasons. 

At  the  end  of  the  volume  is  given  a  collection  of 
Anthems  and  Songs;  which,  being  occasionally  intro- 
duced in  our  assemblies,  may  tend  greatly  to  enliven  the 
proceedings. 

The  success  of  this  Treatise  has  far  exceeded  its  merit ; 
the  Author,  therefore,  shall  only  observe,  that  should 
his  additions  or  corrections  be  considered  real  improve- 
ments, he  will  be  amply  gratified  for  any  pains  he  may 
have  taken. 

Dean  Street,  Fetter  Lane, 
Feb.,  1822. 


INTRODUCTION. 


WHOEVER  attentively  considers  the  nature  and  ten- 
dency of  the  Masonic  Institution,  must  readily  perceive 
its  general  utility.  From  an  anxious  desire  to  display  its 
value,  I  have  been  induced  to  offer  the  following  sheets 
to  the  Public.  Many  reasons  might  have  withheld  me 
from  the  attempt ;  my  inexperience  as  a  writer,  my 
attention  to  the  duties  of  a  laborious  profession,  and  the 
many  abler  hands  who  have  treated  the  subject  before 
me :  yet,  under  all  these  disadvantages,  the  persuasion  of 
friends,  added  to  a  warm  zeal  in  the  cause,  have  stimulated 
me  to  risk  my  reputation  on  the  fate  of  my  perform- 
ance. 

When  I  first  had  the  honour  to  be  elected  Master  of 
the  Lodge,  I  thought  it  proper  to  inform  myself  fully  of 
the  general  rules  of  the  Society,  that  I  might  be  better 
enabled  to  execute  my  own  duty,  and  especially  enforce 
obedience  in  others.  The  methods  which  I  adopted  with 
this  view,  excited  in  some  of  superficial  knowledge  an 
absolute  dislike  of  what  they  considered  as  innovations  ; 
and  in  others,  who  were  better  informed,  a  jealousy  of 
pre-eminence  which  the  principles  of  Masonry  ought  to 
have  checked.  Notwithstanding  these  discouragements, 
however,  I  persevered  in  my  intention  of  supporting  the 
dignity  of  the  Society,  and  of  discharging  with  fidelity 
the  duties  of  my  office. 

As  candour  and  integrity,  uninfluenced  by  interest 
or  favour,  will  ever  support  a  good  cause,  some  of  my 
opponents  (pardon  the  expression)  soon  began  to  discover 
their  error,  and  cheerfully  concurred  in  the  execution 
of  my  measures;  while  others,  of  less  liberality,  tacitly 
approved  what  their  former  declared  opinions  forbad 
them  publicly  to  adopt. 

This  success,  which  exceeded  my  most  sanguine  wishes, 


INTRODUCTION. 


encouraged  me  to  examine  with  more  attention  the  con- 
tents of  our  Lectures.  The  rude  and  imperfect  state  in 
which  I  found  them,  the  variety  of  modes  established  at 
our  meetings,  and  the  difficulties  I  had  to  encounter  in 
my  researches,  rather  discouraged  my  first  attempt  :  per- 
severing, however,  in  the  design,  I  continued  the  pur- 
suit ;  and,  with  the  assistance  of  a  few  Brethren,  who' 
had  carefully  preserved  what  ignorance  and  degeneracy 
had  rejected  as  unintelligible  and  absurd,  I  diligently 
sought  for,  and  at  length  happily  acquired,  some  of  the 
ancient  and  venerable  landmarks  of  the  Order. 

Fortunate  in  the  acquisition  of  friends,  and  fully 
determined  to  pursue  the  design  of  effecting  a  general 
reformation,  we  persevered  in  an  attempt  to  correct  the 
irregularities  which  had  crept  into  our  assemblies,  and 
exemplify  at  all  our  meetings  the  beauty  and  utility 
of  the  Masonic  System. 

We  commenced  our  plaii  by  enforcing  the  value  of  the 
ancient  charges  and  regulations  of  the  Order,  which 
inattention  had  suffered  to  sink  into  oblivion,  and  estab- 
lished those  charges  as  the  basis  of  our  work.  To 
imprint  on  the  memory  a  faithful  discharge  of  our  duty, 
we  reduced  the  more  material  parts  of  the  system  into 
practice  ;  and,  in  order  to  encourage  others  to  promote 
the  plan,  we  made  a  general  rule  of  reading  one  or  more 
of  these  charges  at  every  regular  meeting,  and  elucidating 
such  passages  as  seemed  obscure.  The  useful  hints 
which  were  afforded  by  these  means  enabled  us  gradually 
to  improve  the  plan,  till  we  at  last  succeeded  in  bringing 
into  a  connected  form  all  the  Sections  which  now  com- 
pose the  three  Lectures  of  Masonry. 

The  progress  daily  made  by  our  system  pointed  out  the 
propriety  of  obtaining  the  sanction  of  our  Patrons  : 
several  Brethren,  of  acknowledged  honour  and  integrity, 
therefore,  united  in  an  application  to  the  most  respectable 
Members  of  the  Society  for  countenance  and  support. 
They  happily  succeeded  to  the  utmost  of  their  wishes, 
and  since  that  time  the  plan  has  been  universally  admit- 
ted as  the  basis  of  our  Moral  Lectures. 


CONTENTS. 


•»*  The  Lines  in  Italics  were  not  inserted  until  the  fourteenth 
Edition. 


BOOK  I. 

The  Excellency  of  Masonry  displayed.     * 
SECT.  PAGE 

I.  Reflections  on  the  symmetry  and  proportion  in  the  works 
of  Nature,  and  on  the  harmony  and  affection  among 
the  various  species  of  being  .  .  .  .1 

IT.  The  advantages  resulting  from  Friendship  .         .  3 

III.  Origin  of  Masonry,  and  its  general  advantages        .         .         4 

Comparative  Population  of  the  World        .         .          .5  note. 
Instances  of  kindness  and  attention  to  distressed  Masons 

6  note. 

IV.  Masonry  considered  under  two  denominations         .         .         7 

Present   appearance    of   the   site    of  King   Solomon's 

Temple .7  note. 

V.  The  Government  of  the  Fraternity          ....         8 

VI.  Reasons  why  the  Secrets  of  Masonry  ought  not  to  be 
publicly  exposed ;  and  the  importance  of  those  secrets 
demonstrated  .         .         .         .         .         .         .  •          0 

VII.  Few  Societies  exempted  from  censure.      Irregularities 

of  Masons  no  argument  against  the  Institution  .        11 

Laws  relating  to  persons  eligible  for  initiation     .      12  note. 
VIII.  Charity  the  distinguishing  characteristic  of  Masons        .       14 
Relief  granted  to  a  foreign  brother  who  had  been  im- 
prisoned by  the  Inquisition        .         .         .          .15  note. 

IX.  The   discernment  displayed  by  Masons  in  the  choice  of 

objects  of  charity    .......  16 

Masonic  impostors      ....  ib.  note. 

X.  Friendly  admonitions       ....  .  17 


BOOK  II. 

General  Remarks :  including  an  illustration  of  the 
Lectures ;  a  particular  Description  of  the  Ancient 
Ceremonies;  and  the  Charges  used  in  the  different 
Degrees. 

I.  General  Remarks 19 

II.  The  Ceremony  of  opening  and  closing  the  Lodge         ^ .  20 

Charges  and  Regulations  for  the  conduct  and  behaviour 
of  Masons  ......  .22 

1* 


X  CONTENTS. 

SECT.  PAGE 

On  the  management  of  the  Craft  in  working ;  to  be  re- 
hearsed at  opening  the  Lodge       .... 

Laws  for  the  government  of  the  Lodge         .         .  ib. 
Charge  on  the  behaviour  of  Masons,  to  be  rehearsed  at 
closing  the  Lodge          ...... 

Prayer  used  at  opening  the  Lodge        .         .         .  24 

at  closing  the  Lodge     ....  ib. 

til.  Remarks  on  the  FIRST  LECTURE 25 

First  Section  .         .         . 

Second  Section   > 26 

Declaration  to  be   assented  to  by  every  Candidate 

previous  to  Initiation         .....  ib. 

Form  of  Proposition ib. 

Prayer  used  at  Initiation 

Third  Section 27 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  First  Degree    .         .  ib. 

A  new  Charge  on  the  same  occasion    .         .       30-32  note. 

EULOGIUM 31 

Fourth  Section 33 

Origin  of  masonic  Hieroglyphics      .         .         .         .  ib. 

Oath  of  Pythagoras ib.  note. 

Fifth  Section 34 

Sixth  Section ib. 

Grand  Principles  explained           ....  ib. 

Cardinal  Virtues  explained                          ,         .         .  35 
Instance  of  kindness  to  a  prisoner  of  war  who  was  a 

Freemason       .         .         .         .         .         .         .  ib.  note. 

Equality  among  Masons  exemplified          ...  36 
IV.  Remarks  on  the  SECOND  LECTURE        .        .         .        .37 

First  Section 38 

Charge  at  Initiation-  into  the  Second  Degree          .  39 

Second  Section    ........  40 

Origin  of  Orders  in  Architecture            .  41 

Five  Orders  explained ib. 

Moral  advantages  of  Geometry     ....  43 

Third  Section 45 

Invocation   of  Solomon   at  the  Dedication   of  the 

Temple  of  Jerusalem         ,  46 
Different  Orders  of  Craftsmen  employed  in  building  the 

Temple  of^  Solomon 45  note. 

Fourth  Section 47 

Seven  liberal  Arts  explained    .....  ib. 

The  Globes  explained 48 

V    Remarks  on  the  THIRD  LECTURE     .         .         .  49 

First  Section            .......  50 

Prayer  at  Initiation  into  the  Third  Degree       .         .  ib 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  Third  Degree  .         .  ib 

Second  Section 51 

Third  Section ib. 

Fourth  Section     ........  ib. 

Fifth  Section ib. 

Sixth  Section       ....                 ...  52 


CONTENTS.  xi 

SECT.  PAGE 

Seventh  Section 52 

Hieroglyphics  of  this  Section  enumerated          .      ib.  note. 

Eighth  Section ib. 

Ninth  Section ib. 

Tenth  Section ib. 

Eleventh  Section        ......  .      ib. 

Twelfth  Section 53 

Number  of  Masonic  Degrees  on  the  Continent    .      ib.  note 

VI.  Of  the  ancient  Ceremonies  of  the  Order  ...  ib. 
Manner  of  constituting  the  Lodge  ....  54 
Application  for  a  Constitution  ...  .  ib. 

Ceremony  of  Constitution 55 

Ceremony  of  Consecration        .....  56 

Ceremony  of  Installation      ......       57 

Ancient  Charges  from  an  old  MS 58 

Charges  delivered  at  the  Constitution  of  a  Lodge  .  59 
Regulations  delivered  at  ditto  .....  60 

Exposition  of  the  Laws  relating  to  Visitors  .      61  note. 

Exposition  of  the  Law  relating  to  the  time  tf a  Master's 

continuance  in  the  Chair 63  note. 

Ceremony  of  laying  a  Foundation-stone  ...  67 
Splendour  of  Processions  on  the  Continent  .  .  68  note. 

Ceremony  of  Dedication 69 

Remarks  on  the  Furniture  of  a  Lodge  .  .  .70  note. 
Ceremony  at  Funerals  .  .  .  .  .72 
General  Eemarks  on  Funeral  Processions  .  .  73  note. 
Funeral  Service .74 


BOOK  III. 

The  Principles  of  Masonry  Explained. 

I.  A  Letter  from  the  learned  Mr.  John  Locke,  to  the  Earl  of 

Pembroke       . 79 

Old  Dialogue  on  Masonry 80 

Glossary  to  ditto         .  - 84 

EL.  Remarks  on  an  old  Dialogue,  and  on  Mr.  Locke's  Anno- 
tations        .........  85 

Some  account  of  Pythagoras 86 

Ceremonies  of  Pythagoras     .         •         •         •         .87  note. 
The  wise  Policy  of  Masons  with  respect  to  Religion 

and  Government.          ......  90 

Architecture  one  of  the  Secrets  of  Freemasons        .      92  note. 

Remarks  on  Secrecy  .......  93 

Instances  of  the  great  Veneration  paid  to  it  by  the 

Ancients ib. 

Emblem  of  Silence  "  under  the  rose  "               .         .  94  note. 

The  Story  of  Papyrus        ......  ib. 

Curious  Explanation  of  the  word  ABRAC 

Astrology  originally  practised  by  Masons           .        •  97 

Advantages  derived  from  this  Study       .                 •  H>. 


Xil  CONTENTS. 

BOOK  IV. 
The  History  of  Masonry  in  England,  Ac. 

BBCT.  PAGE 

I.  Masonry  early  introduced  into  England. — Account  of 
the  Druids. — Progress  of  Masonry  in  England  under 
the  Romans.— Masons  highly  favoured  by  St.  Alban     100 
The  Acacia  worshipped  in  Arabia     .         .         ib.  note. 
Superstitious  Usages  of  the  Druids        .         .  101  note. 
St.  Alban  procures  a  Charter  for  the  Masons  from 

Carausius 103 

Some  account  of  this  venerable  Martyr    .         .  ib. 

II.  History  of  Masonry  in  England  under  St.  Austin, 

Kings  Alfred,  Edward,  Athelstane,  Edgar,  Edward 

the  Confessor,  William  the  Conqueror,   Henry  I., 

Stephen,  and  Henry  II. ;  and  also  under  the  Knights 

Templars        .  105 

Austin  patronises  the  Masons  ...  ib. 

Alfred  favours  the  Masons  ....     106 

Character  of  that  Prince  ....  ib. 

First  Grand  Lodge  of  England  formed  at  York         107 
Athelstane  grants  a  charter  to  the  Masons  there  .       ib. 
Claims  of  the  present  Grand  Lodge  at  York  ex- 
amined    ........     108 

A  General  or  Grand  Lodge  explained       .         .         109 
Athelstane  falsely  accused  of  murdering  his  bro- 
ther Edwin        .......      ib. 

Magna  Charta  first  obtained  by  the  Normans  from 

Henry  I Ill 

Masonry  under  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Knights 
Templars          .......       ib. 

IIL  History  of  Masonry  in  England  during  the  reigns  of 
Henry  III.,  Edward  I.,  Edward  II.,  Edward  III., 
Richard  II.,  Henry  IV.,  Henry  V.,  and  Henry  VI.      112 
Edward  III.  revises  the  Constitutions  of  Masonry  .     113 
Extracts  from  an  old  record  in  his  reign       .         .  ib. 

Curious  description  of  the  plan  and  ornaments  of  St. 
Stephen's  Chapel,  Westminster,  now  the  House 
of  Common,  lately  discovered  .         .        ..         114 

Act  (3  Hen.  VI.)  for  abolishing  Chapters  of  Masons     117 
Judge  Coke's  opinion  on  that  Statute      .  .       ib. 

Circumstances  which  gave  rise  to  this  Act  .         118 

Dr.  Anderson's  observation  on  this  Act  .         .         .     120 
Civil  Commotions  at  this  period  ...  ib. 

Duchess  of  Gloucester  accused  of  witchcraft,  and 

condemned  to  perpetual  imprisonment          .         .     123 
Duke  of  Gloucester  murdered      ....  ib. 

Character  of  that  prince  .         .         .         .         .124 

Cardinal  of  Winchester's  death,  and  anecdote  con- 
cerning it ib. 

King  Henry  initiated  into   Masonry,   revises   the 
•  '  '   constitutions,  and  patronises  the  lodges       .         .       ib. 

JJistory  of  Masonry  in  Scotland  at  this  period     .         125 


CONTENTS.  Xili 

SECT.  PAGE 

IV.  History  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England  from  1471 

to  1567 .125 

Masonry  under  the  patronage  of   the  Knights  of 

Malta 126 

Description  of  Henry  the  Seventh's  Chapel     .         .  ib. 

Its  peculiar  and  exclusive  beauties       .         .         .  ib.  note. 

Queen  Elizabeth  sends  an  armed  force  to  break  up 

the  annual  communication  at  York        .         .         .  128 

A  Grand  Master  first  appointed  for  the   South  of 

England  ;  Sir  T.  Gresham  elected    ...  ib. 

Foundation-stone  of  the  Royal  Exchange  laid  by  Sir 

T.  Gresham        ' ib. 

V.  Progress  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England  from 

the  reign  of  Elizabeth  to  the  Fire  of  London,  1666  129 

Inigo  Jones  a  zealous  patron  of  Masons       .         .  130 

Some  account  of  this  artist ib. 

The  appellation  of  Grand  Master  of  England  first 

given ib. 

Banqueting-house,  Whitehall,  described           .        .  ib. 

Other  Works  executed  by  Inigo  Jones        .         .  133 

Extracts  from  Elias  Ashmole's  Diary      .         .         .  ib. 

Sir  Christopher  Wren  presides  over  the  Masons  134 

Shor.t  account  of  this  architect         .         .         .         .  ib. 

Regulations  of  the  Masons  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  ib. 
VI.  History  of  Masonry  in  England  from  the  Fire  of  Lon- 
don to  the  Accession  of  George  I.    .         .         .  136 

London  visited  by  the  plague  .....  ib. 

Fire  of  London ib. 

Dr.  Wren  prepares  a  plan  for  the  new  city      .         .  137 

Citizens  averse  to  it     .         .         .         .         .         •  ib. 

Foundation-stone  of  the  new  Royal  Exchange  laid  138 

Description  of  the  building           ....  ib. 

Custom-house  of  London  built  ib. 

Theatrum  Sheldonium  at  Oxford  built      .     .  ib. 

Monument  in  London  erected ;  description  of  it      .  ib. 

Dr.  Wren  designs  St.  Paul's  cathedral          .        •  139 

The  Foundation-stone  laid  by  King  Charles  .          .  140 

Accurate  description  of  the  building     ...  ib. 

Bethlehem  hospital  in  Moorfields  built    .                  •  145 

Parish  churches  in  London  rebuilt,  or  repaired,  after 
the  Fire 

State  of  Masonry  at  the  Revolution         .         .         .148 
VII.  History  of  the  Revival  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of 

England I.49 

History  of  Masonry  in  London        .         .  ^       •         .  ib. 

Establishment  of  the  present  Grand  Lodge  in  London  150 

Nature  of  its  establishment  .         .         .         •         •  1D- 

Particular  account  of  the  four  old  Lodges  which  first 
formed  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  privileges  re- 
tained by  them  i51 

Duke  of  Montagu   the  first  Noble  Grand  Master 

after  the  Revival 15e 


jjy  CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

State^of  Mj^  mj*f  North  °f  *»S1™*  *«>"     156 

the  Mother 


*e  Lodges  in  theNorth  and 
South,  on  account  of  innovations  made  by  the      ^ 

VIIL  ffistory^f  Masonry  from  its  Revival  in  the  South'  of 

England  to  the  death  of  King  George  I.       .        .     158 
Book  of  Constitutions  first  published  ^ 

Committee  of  Charity  established    .        .         •        • 
Masons  of  Wales  unite  under  the  banner  of  tne 

Grand  Lodge  of  England     .         .         •         •         7  *« 
Provincial  Grand  Masters  first  appointed     .         . 
Office  and  Privilege  of  a  Provincial  Grand 

explained *      l  ' 

Regalia  of  P.  G.  Officers     .         •   .     -         •   .     16J note' 
IX    History  of  Masonry  in  England  during  the  reign  ol 

King  George  II.        .         .         .         • 
Masonry  first  estabUshed  in  India,  and  its  rapid  pro- 
gress there •  .      •  '  l.* 

Duke  of  Norfolk's  handsome  present  to  the  Society      ib. 
Regulations  in  the  Committee  of  Charity     . 
Privileges  granted  to  the  Stewards  .*      .         .       ">• 

Francis,  late  Emperor  of  Germany,  initiated  into 

Masonry 

First  country  feast  held  at  Hamp stead       .         .         •       ib. 
Origin  of  Masonry  in  America      .         .         ^          ib.  note. 
Lodge  at  Hamburgh  opened  under  the  English  Con- 
stitution     •         • 

Anderson's  Edition  of  the  Constitutions  published 
Regulations  established,  and  further  privileges  granted 

to  the  Stewards ib. 

Encroachment  on  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 

at  York .         .      ib. 

The  Lodge  at  York  acknowledged  to  act  independent 

under  its  own  Grand  Master         .         .         .  169 

Stewards  first  appear  at  the  Grand  Lodge  in  their 

Regalia •"       .      ib. 

Certain  privileges  of  the  Stewards  disputed     .         .         170 

Remarks  on  these  privileges ib. 

Frederick,  the  late  Prince  of  Wales,  initiated  .  171 
Papal  Bull  and  Edict  against  Freemasonry  .  ib.  note. 
The  late  King  of  Prussia  initiated  .  .  .  172 

Grand  Lodge  in  Prussia  instituted  under  a  Constitution 

from  Scotland          . ib. 

Regulations  established  by  his  Prussian  Majesty,  for 

the  government  of  the  Society  ...          ib. 

Rise  of  the    Society  in   London   calling   themselves 

Ancient  Masons 174 

Modes  adopted  to  check  their  progress  ...  ib. 
They  falsely  assume  the  York  banner  .  .  ib. 


CONTENTS. 

SECT. 

Harmony  of  the  Society  restored  through  the  influence 

of  Lord  Ward     .         .         .        .    ,     .         .  175 

Grand  Lodge  of  Antigua  instituted  .         .         .176 

Public  Processions  discontinued      .         .         .  ib. 

The  foundation-stone  of  the  New  Exchange  at  Edin- 
burgh laid                 , 178 

Particulars  of  that  ceremony           ....  ib. 

New  regulations  respecting  the  irregular  Masons  in 

London 184 

Death  of  King  George  II ]85 

X.     History  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England  from  the 

Accession  of  George  III.  to  the  end  of  the  year  1779  186 

Subscriptions  voted  for  purchasing  furniture  for  the 

Grand  Lodge 187 

Dukes  of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland  initiated  .         .  188 

Compliment  voted  to  the  Dukes  of  York,  Gloucester, 

and  Cumberland           ......  ID. 

Treaty  of  Union  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  France     .  189 

Plan  of  Incorporation  laid  before  the  Society           .  ib. 

Caveat  entered  against  the  Incorporation             .         .  190 

Compact  with  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Uni- 
ted Provinces  of  Holland 191 

Bill  for  incorporating  the  Society  brought  into  Parlia- 
ment, and  on  the  second  reading  rejected         .         .  192 

Hall  Committee  instituted ib. 

Report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  purchase  of  ground 

and  premises  for  the  Hall ib. 

Five  thousand  pounds  raised  on  tontine  by  subscript 

tion,  for  building  the  Hall 193 

The  Tavern  rebuilt,  and  expenses  incurred          .     ib.  note. 

Fraternal  Piety  of  the  Brethren  in  America   .          ib.  note. 

Foundation-stone  of  the  New  Hall  laid       ,%       .        .  194 

The  Office  of  Grand  Chaplain  instituted          .  '      .  195 

Hall  completed  and  dedicated ib. 

Description  of  the  Hall ib. 

Decorations  of  ditto             196 

Brethren  of  St.  John's  Lodge  at  Newcastle  build  a 

Hall  for  their  Meetings        .         .         .         .         .  197 

Proposals  for  an  alliance  with  the   Grand  Lodge  of 

Berlin  approved     .......  198 

Deputy  or  Assistant  Secretary  appointed          .         .  ib. 

Past  Grand  Officers  to  be  distinguished  by  a  jewel      .  ib. 

Observations  thereon        ......  ib. 

Further  regulations  respecting  Ancient  Masons  .         .  ib. 

The  censure  against  them  not  extended  to  the  Lodges 

under  the  banner  of  Scotland,  Ireland  or  York     .  199 

Appendix  to  the  Book  of  Constitutions  ordered  to  be 

printed             . ib. 

Freemasons'  Calendar  first  published       ...  ib. 

Fees  of  Constitutions,  &c.,  raised       .                           .  ib. 

Masons  at  Sunderland  build  a  Hall  for  their  Meetings, 

which  is  destroyed  by  fire,  and  rebuilt .        .        •  200 


SVi  CONTENTS. 

SECT 

Directions  for  building  Lodges  .        .  200  note. 

The  tranquillity  of  the  Society  interrupted  by  private 
dissensions  .......  ib. 

Consequence  of  these  dissensions         ....     201 

Rise  of  the  disputes  in  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity 

Proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  that  occasion       .     202 

Lodge  of  Antiquity  separates  from  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  forms  an  alliance  with  the  Grand  Lodge  at  York  ib. 

Resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  justification  of  its 
proceedings  in  giving  a  sanction  to  three  expelled 
members  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  with  their 
associates,  to  bear  the  rank  and  title  of  that  Lodge  ib. 

Reflections  on  that  event          .....          ib. 

Lodge  of  Antiquity  renews  its  alliance  with  the  Grand 

Lodge,  and  harmony  is  restored  .         .         .     204 

XI.   History  of  the  most  remarkable  events  in  the  Society 

from  1779  to  1791  inclusive  ....         205 

Flourishing  state  of  Masonry  in  India  under  the  Eng- 
lish Constitution  .......  ib. 

Omdit-ul-Omrh,  eldest  son  of  the  Nabob  of  Arcot, 
initiated  in  the  Lodge  at  Trichinopoly  .  .  ib. 

Congratulatory  Letter  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  with  a 
present  of  a  blue  apron,  and  Book  of  Constitutions, 
sent  to  his  Highness,  by  Sir  John  Day  .  .  ib. 

The  answer  returned        ......          ib. 

Omar-ul-Omrah,  brother  to  Oindit-ul-Omrab,  initiated     206 

Proceedings  of  the  Society  at  Madras  under  Brigadier 
General  Home 207 

Grand  Lodge  established  at  Madras        ...          ib. 

Union  of  the  Brethren  there       .....      ib. 

Lodge  of  Perfect  Unanimity,  No.  1,  at  Madras,  insti- 
tuted.   ib. 

One  hundred  pounds  sent  to  America,  for  the  relief  of 
distressed  Brethren 209 

Proposal  for  distinguishing  the  Grand  Officers  with 
robes  at  public  meetings,  set  aside  ...  ib. 

New  subscription  raised  for  the  Hall-fund,  and  honora- 
ry jewels  presented  to  the  Subscribers  .  .  ib. 

Privileges  granted  to  them      .....         210 

Grand  Officers,  at  their  appointment,  to  be  members  of 
the  Stewards'  Lodge  .  .  .  .  .  .  ib. 

An  Extra-committee  of  Charity  appointed  to  meet  in 
summer  during  the  recess ib. 

An  additional  Grand  Secretary  appointed  .         .       ib. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Germany  agreed  to  be  represented  in 
London  ........  ib. 

Measures  proposed  to  establish  an  Union  with  the 
Lodges  in  Scotland  and  Ireland  .  .  .  .211 

Duke  of  Cumberland  elected  Grand  Master     .         .          ib. 

Acting  Grand  Master  first  appointed  .         .         .       ib. 

One  thousand  pounds  of  the  Charity  consolidated  with 
the  Hall  Fund  .......  ib. 


CONTENTS.  XVU 

SECT.  PAGE 

Regulations  for  the  increase  of  the  Hall  Fund     .         .  212 

Office  of  Grand  Portrait  Painter  appointed     .         .  213 

Lodge  erased  for  making  Masons  in  the  King's  Bench 

Prison      .         .         .         .         .         ..         .         .         .  ib. 

Fines  to  be  levied  on  Deputy  Grand  Master  and  Grand 

Wardens  when  absent          .....  ib. 

Great  improvements  in  the  city  of  Edinburgh  .  ib. 
Foundation-stone  of  the  South  Bridge  there,  laid  .  ib. 
Ceremony  observed  on  that  occasion  .  .  .  214 
Inscription  deposited  in  the  stone  .  .  .  215 
Plan  for  building  the  new  College  of  Edinburgh  ap- 
proved    216 

Ceremony  observed  at  laying  the  foundation-stone  of 

that  structure       .         .         .         .         .         .         .  ib. 

Address  of  the  Grand  Master  on  that  occasion  to  the 

Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates         ....  217 

Principal  Robertson's  speech,  in  answer  to  the  Grand 

Master's  address           ......  218 

Inscription  placed  in  the  stone            ....  220 

New  Bridge  at  Montrose  opened     ....  221 

Duke  of  Clarence  initiated  into  Masonry     .                 .  222 
Grand  Chapter  of  the  Order  of  Harodim  instituted  at 

London       ........  ib. 

Nature  of  its  establishment ib. 

Prince  of  Wales  initiated  into  Masonry            .         .  223 

Duke  of  York  initiated       ......  ib. 

Royal  Freemasons'  Charity  for  Female  Children  insti- 
tuted              ib. 

House  built  for  the  Children  in  St.  George's  Fields, 

at  the  expense  of  2500/. 224 

General  Regulations  of  the  Charity         ...  ib. 
Patrons  of  the  School         .         .         .         .                  .225 
General   principles'  upon  which  the   Charity  is  con- 
ducted            ib. 

Officers  of  the  institution             .....  227 

Death  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  228 
Prince  Edward,  late  Duke  of  Kent,  initiated      .         .  ib. 
Prince  Augustus  Frederick,  now  Duke  of  Sussex,  initi- 
ated            ........  ib. 

Princes  of  the  Blood  honoured  with  the  clothing  of 

Grand  Officers         .                  ib. 

Members  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  restored  to  their 

privileges  at  the  Grand  Feast  in  1790           .         .  ib. 

Prince  of  Wales  elected  Grand  Master        .         .        .  ib. 
Three  elegant  chairs  and  Candlesticks  provided  for 

the  Grand  Lodge          ......  229 

XII    History     of     Masonry   from    the     Installation   of    the 
Prince  of  Wales  as  Grand  Master  to  the  Grand  Feast  of 

1795  inclusive               •         .  ib. 

Installation  of  the  Prince  of  Wales         ...  ib. 
Brethren  in   Lincoln  transmit  an  address  to  his  Royal 

Highness  in  a  column  of  heart  of  oak      .         .        .  230 


xviii  CONTENTS. 

SECT.  PAOB 
Freemasons   of  Cornwall  address  his  Royal  High- 
ness      230 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  King  .     231 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Prince  of  Wales  232 
King  of  Sweden  initiated  .  .  -  .  .  .  233 
Brethren  in  America  present  a  new  edition  of  their 

Constitutions  to  General  Washington      .         .  ib. 

Address  to  him  on  that  occasion     ....         234 

General  Washington's  answer ih 

His  death,  and  the  ceremony  observed  at  his  funeral    235 
Respect  paid  to  his  memory  by  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives   236 

Foundation-stone  of  the  bridge  over  the  Wear  laid  .  ib. 
First  stone  of  the  New  Chapel  at  Brighthelmstone  laid  237 
Freemasons'  Magazine  published  .  .  .  238 

Shakspeare  Lodge  at  Stratford-on-Avon  constituted  ib. 
Royal  Brunswick  Lodge  at  Sheffield  constituted  .  ib. 
Lodge  of  Apollo  at  Alcester  constituted  .  ib. 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  Prince  of  Wales' s 

Marriage 239 

His  Royal  Highness's  Answer  .         .         .         .      ib. 

Proceedings  at  the  Grand  Feast  in  May,  1795         .         240 
XIII.  The  History  of   Masonry  from    the    Grand    Feast    in 

1795  to  the  end  of  the  year  1800        .         .         .         .      ib. 
The  publication  of  some  tracts  against  the  Masons, 
damps  for  some  time  the  progress,  of  the  Society  in 

Europe ib. 

Remarks  on  the  Life  of  Zimmerman  by  Dr.  Tissot  .  241 
Some  account  of  the  Illuminati  ....  242 
Rejection  of  Christianity  by  the  German  and  French 

podges       .^ 243  note. 

Zimmerman's  irritable  nervous  system          .         .         .     244 
Particulars  of  his  death  at  the  age  of  67          .         .          ib. 
Remarks  on  the  Abbe  Barruel's  Memoirs  of  Jacobin- 
.        ism  in  France  .         .         .         .  .         .       ib. 

English  Masons  not  implicated  in  the  charge  against 
the  Illuminati       .         .         .         .  ...         245 

The  Lodges  of  Masons  fully   exonerated  from  the 

charges  laid  against  them ib. 

Remarks  on  Professor  Robison's  proofs  of  a  Conspir- 
acy against  all  the  religions  and   governments  of 
Europe,  carried  on  in  the  secret  meetings  of  Free- 
masons, Illuminati,  and  Reading  Societies    .         .        246 
No  conspiracy  of  men  brought  about  the  late  great 

alterations  in  government 248 

Professor  Robison.  exempts  the  English  Masons  from 

the  charge  of  disloyalty 249 

Earl  of  Moira  addresses  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  publications  against  Masonry          .         .     250 
Clauses  respecting  the  Society  of  Masons  in  the  Act 
for  the  suppression  of  Societies  established  for  se- 
ditious and  treasonable  purposes  .         .  351 


CONTENTS.  Xlx 

SECT  PAGK 

Form  of  Certificate     .         .        .        .        .        .         .     252 

Form  of  Register  ib. 

General  Infirmary  at  Sheffield  opened          .         .         .     253 

Institution  of  the  New  Masonic  Society  for  the  relief 
of  sick,  lame,  or  distressed  Brethren,  their  widows, 
children,  and  orphans  .....  ib. 

Prudent  mode  of  selecting  the  members  of  this  Society    ib. 

The  Rules  and  Orders 254 

Letter  from  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden      .    255 

Prince  of  Wales' s  Answer.  ....        257 

Attempt  to  assassinate  the  King  at  Drury  Lane  Thea- 
tre   258 

His  Majesty's  dignified  conduct  on  that  occasion        .       ib. 

Indignation  of  the  populao*     .         .         .        .        .        259 

Private  examination  of  the  assassin  ib 

Is  tried,  and  acquitted  as  a  lunatic  .         .         .         .          ib 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  his  Majesty  on  the 
event  .  . 2*0 

Regulations  adopted  to  liquidate  the  debts  of  the  So- 
ciety .  .  .  .  ,  .  .  .  .  261 

The  magnificent  range  of  Buildings  at  the  East  India 
House  in  Leadenhall-street  erected  .  .  .  262 

Description  of  the  Pediment  .         .         .         .          ib. 

Rodney  Lodge  at  Hull  dedicated         .        .         .         -263 
XIV.    History  of   Masonry  from  the  year  1800  to  the  year 

1801 ib. 

Ceremony  observed  at  laying  the  foundation-stone  of 
the  Wet-docks  at  Leith 264 

Grand  Master's  address  to  the  Lord  Provost  and  Ma- 
gistrates ........  266 

Lord  Provost's  Answer        ......      ib. 

Earl  of  Moira  attends  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland, 
and  explains  the  refractory  conduct  of  the  irregular 
Masons  of  England  .  .  .  .  .  •  267 

Mr.  Laurie's  account  of  the  origin  of  the  correspond- 
•ence  carried  on  between  the  irregular  Masons  of 
England  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland       .  268  note. 

Flourishing  state  of  the  Society  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Earl  of  Moira  .  .  .  .  •  268 

Lodges  in  Berlin  solicit  a  friendly  intercourse  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  ....  ib. 

Four  Lodges  in  Portugal  apply  for  a  warrant  of  con- 
stitution from  England  .  269 

Ofiice  of  Grand  Architect  discontinued  .         .          ib. 

Proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge  against  irregular  Ma- 
sons   27° 

.     Earl  of  Moira's  Portrait  ordered  to  be  painted  by  an 

eminent  artist,  and  put  up  in  the  Hall       .         .         •     271 
XV.    History  of  Masonry  from  1801  to  1812        .         .     .   •          »>• 

Foundation-stone  of  the  Bridge  over  the  Spey  laid     .      ib. 

Two  elegant  gold  vases  presented  to  Sir  John  Doyle  by 
the  Lodges  in  Jersey,  Guernsey  and  Alderney  .  27o 


XX  CONTENTS. 

SECT. 

Grand  Lodge  enters  on  terms  of  confidential  commu- 
nication with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  ^  .  274 

Grand  Lodge  of  Prussia  desires  to  correspond  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  ....  ib. 

The  foundation-stone  of  Fraserburgh  New  Harbour 
laid ib. 

Ceremony  observed  on  that  occasion 

Inscription  and  writing  deposited        ....     276 

Earl  of  Moira  informs  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland 
of  the  origin  and  situation  of  the  meetings  of  Ma- 
sons in  England  under  the  Duke  of  Athol  .  .  277 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales  elected 
Grand  Master  of  Scotland  .....  ib. 

Resolutions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  respect  to  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Scottish  Lodges  .  278 

Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  communicates  its  proceed 
ings  relative  to  Dr.  Mitchell,  and  the  resolutions  ot 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  on  the  occasion  .      ib. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland  approves  the  proceedings 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  pledges  itself 
not  to  receive  as  a  Brother  any  person  standing 
under  the  interdict  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  England 
or  Scotland  .......  279 

The  foundation-stone  of  Covent  Garden  Theatre  laid 
by  the  Prince  of  Wales,  as  Grand  Master  of  Eng- 
land and  Scotland  ib. 

Ceremony  observed  on  that  occasion         .         .         .         280 

Inscription  on  the  Medals  deposited  in  the  founda- 
tion-stone   281 

The  measures  respecting  the  irregular  Masons  abolish- 
ed .........  283 

The  Grand  Treasurer's  account  stated         .         ,         .      ib. 

The  Liquidation-fund  discontinued  ...          ib. 

XVI.    History  of  Masonry  from  1812  to  1813  .         .         .    284 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex  appointed 
Deputy  Grand  Master  .....  ib. 

Grand  Banquet  given  by  the  Fraternity  to  the  Earl  of 
Moira,  on  his  being  appointed  Governor  General  of 
India  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  ib. 

Farewell  Stanzas,  written  by  W.  R.  Wright,  Esq.,  and 
sung  by  Brother  Bellamy  .  288 

Superb  masonic  Jewel  presented  to  his  Lordship  on 
the  occasion  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  289 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex  on  the  acces- 
sion of  the  Prince  of  Wales  to  the  Regency,  elect- 
ed, in  open  Grand  Lodge,  Grand  Master  by  unani- 
mous acclamation 294 

The  Prince  Regent  condescends  to  accept  the  title  of 
Grand  Patron  of  the  Order  .....  ib. 

Their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Dukes  of  Kent  and  Sus- 
sex, and  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Athol,  concur  in  mea- 
sures for  bringing  about  the  so  long  desired  Union  295 


CONTENTS.  XXI 

SECT.  PAGE 

Articles  of  Union  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of 
England 295 

Brethren  nominated  by  the  Koyal  Dukes  to  form  the 
LODGE  OF  RECONCILIATION  ....  301 

The   order  of  Proceedings  at  the  Re-union  detailed    302 

Plan  of  Freemasons'  Hall  at  the  solemn  ceremonial  of 
the"  Re-union         .         .         .        ....        309 

XVII.    History  of  Masonry  from  1813  to  1820         .         .         .310 

A  gross  imposture  exposed,  in  a  Law  Case  on  Masonry, 
Smith  v.  Finch ib. 

Revival  of  Freemasonry  in  Russia       ....      ib. 

Solemn  Dedication,  by  the  Grand  Master,  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Hall  at  Bath 311 

The  Grand  Master's  Address  to  the  Corporation,  on 
being  presented  with  the  Freedom  of  the  City  .  316 

Ceremonial  at  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  a  Monu- 
ment to  the  Memory  of  Robert  Burns,  the  Ayrshire 
Poet,  Jan.  25,  1820,  being  the  Anniversary  of  his 
Natal  Day 317 

Sketch  of  Freemasonry  in  Scotland      .         .         .     ib.  note. 

Address  of  the  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Alexander 

Bos  well,  Esq.,  of  Auchinleck       ....        319 
XYLTL.  History  of  Masonry  from  1820  to  1823  ...     321 

Accession  of  King  George  IV.         ....          ib. 

Address  from  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the  Throne     .         .      ib. 

His  Majesty  condescends  to  accept  the  office  of  Grand 
Patron  of  Masonry  ......  323 

Splendid  present  from  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of 
Sussex  to  the  Grand  Lodge 324 

Irregularities  at  Liverpool         •  ib 

Memorial  to  the  Grand  Lodge  from  the  P.  G.  Lodge 
for  the  County  Palatine  of  Lancaster  .  .  .  32,^ 

The  Memorial  withdrawn ib. 

Charges  exhibited  against  the  Lodge  No.  31.       .         .       ib. 

The  Lodge  No.  31  suspended  .         .         .         .          ib 

The  Brethren  of  No.  31  issue  a  manifesto  to  all  the 
Lodges  in  the  Union  ......  326 

And  refuse  obedience  to  the  summons  of  the  Provincial 
Grand  Master ib. 

A  Committee  formed  at  Liverpool  to  adjust  the  dispute    327 

The  Deputy  Provincial  Grand  Master  summons  the 
Master  of  No.  31  ib. 

He  refuses  to  attend          ......          ib. 

And  publishes  a  violent  account  of  proceedings    .         .       ib. 

The  dispute  referred  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Master 
to  the  Board  of  General  Purposes  .  .  •  330 

The  Lodge  No.  31  suspended  by  the  Grand  Lodge      .     ib. 

Several  individual  members  suspended      .         .         •         331 

The  Lodge  No.  31  erased,  and  its  members  expelled 
from  Masonry  .......  ib. 

Several  of  the  expelled  Masons  restored  on  their  peti- 
tion   332 

Protest  of  the  Lodge  No.  140 333 


XXli  CONTENTS. 

SECT.  PAGE 

That  Lodge  erased  for  contumacy    .         •         •        • 

XIX.    History  of  Masonry  from  1823  to  1829            ...  334 

Origin  of  the  Prince  of  Wales 's  Lodge           •        •  ib. 

Memorial  to  his  Majesty      •                 .         .         -         .  ib. 

Memorial  to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York  .  335 
Installation  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York, 

as  Master  of  the  Prince  of  Wales' s  Lodge       .         .  336 

Address  of  the  Deputy  Master  at  that  ceremony       .  ib. 

Account  of  Brother  Belzoni          .....  338 

Loses  his  life  in  Africa             .         .         .         .         .  ib. 

Masonry  respected  by  Pirates  .....  339 
Donation  of  fifty  pounds  from  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the 

widow  of  Brother  Belzoni                           .         .         .  ib. 


Ceremony  of  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  the  Hum- 

her  Lodge,  Hull  ......  340 

Grand  Lodge  at  the  Tltatched  House  Tavern     .        .  343 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Clarence  installed 

Master  of  the  Prince  of  Wales' s  Lodge  .  .  345 

Contributions  to  the  fund  of  Benevolence           .         .  ib. 

Fifty -nine  Lodges  struck  off  the  list  for  non-payment  of 

arrears ib. 

Conclusion        .  346 


ODES. 

I    Hail  to  the  Craft,  &c 347 

EL.   What  solemn  sounds,  &c 348 

III.  Order  is  Heaven's  first  law,  &c.  .                          .        .  350 

IV.  When  first  the  golden  morn,  &c ib. 

V.   Thou  fairest  type  of  excellence  divine                   .        .  352 

VI.   Strike  to  melodious  notes  the  golden  lyre          .         .  ib. 

VII.   Wal«}  the  lute  and  quiv'ring  strings     ....  353 

VIII.   Almighty  Sire !  our  heavenly  king             .         .         .  354 

IX.   Hail,  universal  Lord  ! 355 

X.   Assist  me  ye  fair  tuneful  Nine          ....  ib. 

XL    Oh  for  a  hand,  whose  magic  power        ....  356 

XII.    Thy  sorrows,  Ayr 360 

ANTHEMS. 

I.    "Let  there  be  light!"  the  Almighty  spoke          .        .  361 

H.  To  heaven's  high  Architect  all  praise       ...  ib. 


SONGS. 

I.   Arise,  and  blow  thy  trumpet,  Fame              .  .              334 

II.   Ere  God  the  Universe  began             ...  ib. 

HI.    Not  the  fictions  of  Greece,  &c.                     .  .              355 

IV.   All  hail !  ye  dear*  loved  social  band        .        .  266 

V.    Vain  thought !  but  had  Burns,  ffc.      . 


CONTENTS. 


xxiii 


BE  CT .  P  A  G  F 

VI.   Ye  dull,  stupid  mortals,  dec 367 

VII.    In  times  of  old  date,  dec.     "...  368 

VIII.    A  system  more  pure,  dec.          ....  369 

IX.    Genius  of  Masonry,  descend ib. 

X.   When  my  divine  Althaea's  charms    .        .                 .  370 

XI.    On,  on,  my  dear  Brethren,  dec.    .....  371 

XII.    Hail,  Masonry,  thou  craft  divine !  ib. 

XIII.  Let  Masonry  from  pole  to  pole             ....  372 

XIV.  Hail,  Masonry !  thou  sacred  Art       .        .        .  373 
XV.    When  heaven  design'd,  dec ib. 

XVI.    Ye  sons  of  fair  Science,  impatient  to  learn       .        .  374 

XVII.   Hail,  Masonry  divine ! 375 

XVIII.   Let  drunkards  boast  the  power  of  wine    ...  ib. 

XIX.   Come,  let  us  prepare                             ....  376 

XX.    When  orient  Wisdom,  dec 377 

XXL   When  a  lodge  of  Freemasons,  dec.      ....  378 

XXII.    In  history  we're  told,  dec 379 

XXIII.  0,  what  a  happy  thing  it  is,  dec 880 

XXIV.  Adieu,  a  heart- warm,  fond  adieu  i    .                «        .  sfe. 


Illustrations 


OF 


A  S  ONR  Y. 


BOOK  I. 

EXCELLENCY    OF    MASONRY    DISPLAYED. 
SECTION    I. 

Reflections  on  the  Symmetry  and  Proportion  in  the  Works  of 
Nature,  and  on  the  Harmony  and  Affection  among  the 
various  Species  of  Beings. 

WHOEVER  attentively  observes  the  objects  which  sur- 
round him,  will  find  abundant  reason  to  admire  the 
works  of  Nature,  and  to  adore  the  Being  who  directs 
such  astonishing  operations ;  he  will  be  convinced  that 
infinite  Wisdom  could  alone  design,  and  infinite  Power 
complete,  such  amazing  works. 

Were  a  man  placed  in  a  beautiful  garden,  would  not 
his  mind  be  affected  with  exquisite  delight,  on  a  calm 
survey  of  its  rich  collections  ?  Would  not  the  groves, 
the  grottoes,  the  artful  wilds,  the  flowery  parterres,  the 
opening  vistas,  the  lofty  cascades,  the  winding  streams, 
the  whole  variegated  scene,  awaken  his  sensibility,  and 
inspire  his  soul  with  the  most  exalted  ideas  ?  When  he 
observed  the  delicate  order,  the  nice  symmetry,  arid 
beautiful  disposition  of  every  part,  seemingly  complete 
in  itself,  yet  reflecting  new  beauties  on  the  other,  and 
all  contributing  to  make  one  perfect  whole,  would  not 
his  mind  be  agitated  with  the  most  agreeable  sensations; 
2 


2  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  would  not  the  view  of  the  delightful  scene  naturally 
lead  him  to  admire  and  venerate  the  happy  genius  who 
contrived  it  ? 

If  the  productions  of  Art  so  forcibly  impress  the  mind 
with  admiration,  with  how  much  greater  astonishment 
and  reverence  must  we  behold  the  operations  of  Nature, 
which  presents  to  view  unbounded  scenes  of  utility  and 
delight,  in  which  Divine  Wisdom  is  most  strikingly  con- 
spicuous? These  scenes  are,  indeed,  too  expanded  for 
the  narrow  capacity  of  man  to  comprehend ;  yet  who- 
ever contemplates  the  general  system  must  naturally, 
from  the  uniformity  of  the  plan,  be  directed  to  the  origi- 
nal source,  the  Supreme  Governor  of  the  world,  the  One 
perfect  and  unsullied  Beauty! 

Beside  all  the  pleasing  prospects  that  every  where 
surround  us,  and  with  which  our  senses  are  every  moment 
gratified ;  beside  the  symmetry,  good  order,  and  propor- 
tion, which  appear  in  all  the  works  of  creation,  something 
further  attracts  the  reflecting  mind,  and  draws  its  at- 
tention nearer  to  the  Divinity; — that  is,  the  universal 
harmony  and  affection  among  the  different  species  of 
beings  of  every  rank  and  denomination.  These  are  the 
cements  of  the  rational  world,  and  by  these  alone  it  sub- 
sists. When  they  cease,  Nature  must  be  dissolved,  and 
man,  the  image  of  his  Maker,  and  the  chief  of  his  works, 
be  overwhelmed  in  the  general  chaos. 

In  the  whole  order  of  beings,  from  the  seraph  which 
adores  and  burns,  down  to  the  meanest  insect,  all, 
according  to  their  rank  in  the  scale  of  existence,  have, 
more  or  less,  implanted  in  them  the  principle  of  associa- 
tion with  others  of  the  same  species.  Even  the  most 
inconsiderable  animals  are  formed  into  different  ranks 
and  societies,  for  mutual  benefit  and  protection.  Need 
we  name  the  careful  ant,  or  the  industrious  bee ;  insects 
which  the  wisest  of  all  mankind  has  recommended  as 
patterns  of  unwearied  industry  and  prudent  foresight  ? 
When  we  extend  our  ideas,  we  shall  find  that  the  innate 
principle  of  friendship  increases  in  proportion  to  the 
extension  of  our  intellectual  faculties ;  and  the  only 
criterion  by  which  a  judgment  can  be  formed,  respecting 
the  superiority  of  one  part  of  the  animal  creation  above 
the  other,  is,  by  observing  the  degrees  of  kindness  and 
good-nature  in  which  it  excels. 


OF    MASONRY. 


Such  are  the  general  principles  which  pervade  the 
whole  system  of  creation  ;  how  forcibly,  then,  must  such 
lessons  predominate  in  our  assemblies,  where  civilization 
and  virtue  are  most  zealously  cherished,  under  the  sanc- 
tion of  science  and  the  arts? 

S*&Ff£i 

{   U*f          f 

SECT.  H. 

The  Advantages  resulting  from  Friendship. 

No  subject  can  more  properly  engage  the  attention, 
than  the  benevolent  dispositions  which  indulgent  Nature 
has  bestowed  upon  the  rational  species.  These  are 
replete  with  the  happiest  effects,  and  afford  to  the  mind 
the  most  agreeable  reflections.  The  breast  which  is 
inspired  with  tender  feelings  is  naturally  prompted  to  a 
reciprocal  intercourse  of  kind  and  generous  actions.  As 
human  nature  rises  in  the  scale  of  beings,  the  social 
affections  likewise  arise.  Where  friendship  is  unknown, 
jealousy  and  suspicion  prevail ;  but  where  that  virtue  is 
the  cement,  true  happiness  subsists.  In  every  breast 
there  is  a  propensity  to  friendly  acts,  which,  being  exerted 
to  effect,  sweetens  every  temporal  enjoyment ;  and, 
although  it  does  not  remove  the  disquietudes,  it  tends,  at 
least,  to  allay  the  calamities,  of  life. 

Friendship  is  traced  through  the  circle  of  private  con- 
nections to  the  grand  system  of  universal  benevolence, 
which  no  limits  can  circumscribe,  as  its  influence  extends 
to  every  branch  of  the  human  race.  Actuated  by  this 
sentiment,  each  individual  connects  his  happiness  with 
the  happiness  of  his  neighbour,  and  a  fixed  and  perma- 
nent union  is  established  among  men. 

But,  though  friendship,  considered  as  the  source  of 
universal  benevolence,  be  unlimited,  it  exerts  its  influ- 
ence more  or  less  powerfully,  as  the  objects  it  favours 
are  nearer  or  more  remote.  Hence  the  love  of  friends 
and  of  country  takes  the  lead  in  our  affections,  and  gives 
rise  to  that  true  patriotism,  which  fires  the  soul  with  the 
most  generous  flame,  creates  the  best  and  most  disinter- 
ested virtue,  and  inspires  that  public  spirit,  and  that 
heroic  ardour,  which  enable  us  to  support  a  good  cause, 
and  risk  our  lives  in  its  defence. 

This   commendable    virtue   crowns   the   lover  of  his 


4  ILLUSTRATIONS 

country  with  unfading  laurels,  gives  a  lustre  to  his  actions, 
and  consecrates  his  name  to  latest  ages.  The  warrior's 
glory  may  consist  in  murder,  and  the  rude  ravage  of  the 
desolating  sword ;  but  the  blood  of  thousands  will  not 
stain  the  hands  of  his  country's  friend.  His  virtues  are 
open,  and  of  the  noblest  kind.  Conscious  integrity  sup- 
ports him  against  the  arm  of  power ;  and  should  he  bleed 
by  tyrant-hands,  he  gloriously  dies  a  martyr  in  the  cause 
of  liberty,  and  leaves  to  posterity  an  everlasting  monu- 
ment of  the  greatness  of  his  soul. 

Though  friendship  appears  divine,  when  employed  in 
preserving  the  liberties  of  our  country,  it  shines  with 
equal  splendour  in  more  tranquil  scenes.  Before  it  rises 
into  the  noble  flame  of  patriotism,  aiming  destruction  at 
the  heads  of  tyrants,  thundering  for  liberty,  and  courting 
danger  in  defence  of  rights ;  we  behold  it  calm  and 
moderate,  burning  with  an  even  glow,  improving  the 
soft  hours  of  peace,  and  heightening  the  relish  for  virtue. 
In  those  happy  moments,  contracts  are  formed,  societies 
are  instituted,  and  the  vacant  hours  of  life  are  employed 
in  the  cultivation  of  social  and  polished  manners. 

On  this  general  plan,  the  universality  of  the  system  of 
Masonry  is  established.  Were  friendship  confined  to  the 
spot  of  our  nativity,  its  operation  would  be  partial,  and 
imply  a  kind  of  enmity  to  other  nations.  Where  the 
interests  of  one  country  interfere  with  those  of  another, 
Nature  dictates  an  adherence  to  the  welfare  of  our  own 
immediate  connections  ;  but  such  interference  apart,  the 
true  Mason  is  a  citizen  of  the  world,  and  his  philanthropy 
extends  to  all  the  human  race.  Uninfluenced  by  local 
prejudices,  he  knows  no  preference  in  virtue,  but  accord- 
ing to  its  degree,  from  whatever  country  or  clime  it  may 
spring. 

SECT.  III. 

Origin  of  Masonry,  and  its  general  Advantages. 

FROM  the  commencement  of  the  world,  we  may  trace 
the  foundation  of  Masonry.1  Ever  since  symmetry  began, 
and  harmony  displayed  her  charms,  our  Order  has  had  a 

1  The  arguments  for  this  high  antiquity  may  be  seen  at  length  in 
my  "Antiquities  of  Masonry,"  pp.  19-22. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  6 

being.  During  many  ages,  and  in  many  different  coun- 
tries, it  has  flourished.  No  art,  no  science,  preceded  it. 
In  the  dark  periods  of  antiquity,  when  literature  was  in 
a  low  state,  and  the  rude  manners  of  our  forefathers 
withheld  from  them  that  knowledge  we  now  so  amply 
share,  Masonry  diffused  its  influence.  This  science 
unveiled,  arts  arose,  civilization  took  place,  and  the  pro- 
gress of  knowledge  and  philosophy  gradually  dispelled 
the  gloom  of  ignorance  and  barbarism.  Government 
being  settled,  authority  was  given  to  laws,  and  the 
assemblies  of  the  Fraternity  acquired  the  patronage  of 
the  great  and  the  good ;  while  the  tenets  of  the  profes- 
sion diffused  unbounded  philanthropy. 

Abstracted  from  the  pure  pleasures  which  arise  from 
friendship  so  wisely  constituted  as  that  which  subsists 
among  Masons,  and  which  it  is  scarcely  possible  that  any 
circumstance  or  occurrence  can  erase,  Masonry  is  a 
science  confined  to  no  particular  country,  but  extends 
over  the  whole  terrestrial  globe.2  Wherever  arts  flourish, 
there  it  flourishes  too.  Add  to  this,  that  by  secret  and 
inviolable  signs,  carefully  preserved  among  the  frater- 
nity, it  becomes  an  universal  language.  Hence  many 
advantages  are  gained:  the  distant  Chinese,  the  wild 
Arab,  and  the  American  savage,  will  embrace  a  brother 
Briton,  and  know,  that  besides  the  common  ties  of 
humanity,  there  is  still  a  stronger  obligation  to  induce 
him  to  kind  and  friendly  offices.  The  spirit  of  the  fulmi- 
nating priest  will  be  tamed,  and  a  moral  brother,  though 
of  a  different  persuasion,  engage  his  esteem:  for  mutual 
toleration  in  religious  opinions  is  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guishing and  valuable  characteristics  of  the  Craft.  As 
all  religions  teach  morality,  if  a  brother  be  found  to  act 
the  part  of  a  truly  honest  man,  his  private  speculative 
opinions  "are  left  to  God  and  himself.  Thus,  through  the 
influence  of  Masonry,  which  is  reconcilable  to  the  best 

2  The  following  arrangement  of  the  human  race  into  classes  marked 
by  the  peculiarity  of  their  religious  profession,  taking  the  population 
of  the  world  at  844|  millions  of  souls,  is  thought  to  approximate  very 
nearly  to  the  truth. 


Christians,  240  millions 
Mahometans,  120  millions 
Brahmanists,  115  millions 
Lamaites,  58  millions 
Confucians,  5  millions 


Jews,  8  millions 

Fetichees,  124  millions 
Buddhists,  170  millions 
Nanknists,  4  millions 

Zoroastrians,        f  million 

EDITOR. 


6  ILLUSTRATIONS 

policy,  all  those  disputes  which  embitter  life,  and  sour 
the  tempers  of  men,  are  avoided;  while  the  common 
good,  the  general  object,  is  zealously  pursued. 

From  this  view  of  our  system,  its  utility  must  be  suffi- 
ciently obvious.  The  universal  principles  of  the  Art  unite, 
in  one  indissoluble  bond  of  affection,  men  of  the  most 
opposite  tenets,  of  the  most  distant  countries,  and  of  the 
most  contradictory  opinions;  so  that  in  every  nation  a 
Mason  may  find  a  friend,  and  in  every  climate  a  home.3 

Such  is  the  nature  of  our  institution,  that  in  the  lodge,- 
which  is  confined  to  no  particular  spot,  union  is  cemented 
by  sincere  attachment,  and  pleasure  reciprocally  commu- 
nicated in  the  cheerful  observance  of  every  obliging  office. 
Virtue,  the  grand  object  in  view,  luminous  as  the  meridian 
sun,  shines  refulgent  on  the  mind,  enlivens  the  heart,  and 
heightens  cool  approbation  into  warm  sympathy  and 
cordial  attention. 

3  On  this  principle,  unfortunate  captives  in  war,  and  sojourners, 
accidentally  cast  on  a  distant  shore,  are  particular  objects  of  attention, 
and  seldom  fail  to  experience  indulgence  from  Masons ;  and  it  is  very 
remarkable  that  there  is  not  an  instance  on  record  of  a  breach  of 
fidelity,  or  of  ingratitude,  where  that  indulgence  has  been  liberally 
extended.  The  two  following  facts  are  extracted  from  Lawrie's  His- 
tory of  Freemasonry  in  Scotland.  In  the  year  1748,  Mons.  Preverot, 
a  gentleman  in  the  navy,  and  brother  of  the  celebrated  M.  Preverot, 
M.  D.,  in  the  faculty  of  Paris,  was  unfortunately  shipwrecked  on  an 
island,  whose  viceroy  was  a  Freemason.  Along  with  his  ship  M. 
Preverot  had  lost  all  his  money  and  effects.  In  this  destitute  condi- 
tion he  presented  himself  to  the  viceroy,  and  related  his  misfortune 
in  a  manner  which  completely  proved  that  he  was  no  impostor.  The 
viceroy  made  the  masonic  signs,  which  being  instantly  returned  by 
the  Frenchman,  they  recognized  and  embraced  each  other  as  brethren 
of  the  same  Order.  M.  Preverot  was  conducted  to  the  viceroy's  house, 
who  furnished  him  with  all  the  comforts  of  life,  till  a  ship  bound  for 
France  touched  at  the  island.  Before  his  departure  in  this  vessel, 
the  viceroy  loaded  him  with  presents,  and  gave  him  as  much  money 
as  was  necessary  for  carrying  him  into  his  native  country.  The  next 
instance  is  still  more  striking.  In  the  battle  of  Dettingen  in  1743, 
one  of  the  king's  guards  having  his  horse  killed  under  him,  was  so 
entangled  among  the  animal's  limbs,  that  he  was  unable  to  extricate 
himself.  While  he  was  in  this  situation,  an  English  dragoon  galloped 
up  to  him,  and,  with  his  uplifted  sabre,  was  about  to  deprive  him  of 
life.  The  French  soldier  having,  with  much  difficulty,  made  the 
signs  of  Masonry,  the  dragoon  recognized  him  as  a  brother,  and  not 
only  spared  his  life,  but  freed  him  from  his  dangerous  situation.  He 
was  made  a  prisoner  by  the  English  dragoon,  who  was  well  aware 
that  the  ties  of  Masonry  cannot  dissolve  those  of  patriotism.— 
EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY. 


SECT.    IV. 

Masonry  considered  under  two  Denominations. 

MASONRY  passes  under  two  denominations, — operative 
and  speculative.  By  the  former,  we  allude  to  a  proper 
application  of  the  useful  rules  of  architecture,  whence  a 
structure  derives  figure,  strength,  and  beauty;  and  whence 
result  a  due  proportion  and  a  just  correspondence  in  all 
its  parts.  By  the  latter,  we  learn  to  rule  and  direct  the 
passions,  act  upon  the  square,  keep  a  tongue  of  good 
report,  maintain  secrecy,  practise  charity,  and  every  other 
virtue  that  can  adorn  the  Man. 

Speculative  Masonry  is  so  far  interwoven  with  religion, 
as  to  lay  us  under  the  strongest  obligations  to  pay  that 
rational  homage  to  the  Deity,  which  at  once  constitutes 
our  duty  and  our  happiness.  It  leads  the  contemplative 
to  view  with  reverence  and  admiration  the  glorious  works 
of  creation,  and  inspires  them  with  the  most  exalted  ideas 
of  the  perfections  of  the  Divine  Creator.  Operative 
Masonry  furnishes  us  with  dwellings,  and  convenient 
shelter  from  the  inclemencies  of  seasons ;  and  whilst  it 
displays  the  effects  of  human  wisdom,  as  well  in  the  choice 
as  in  the  arrangement  of  the  materials  of  which  an  edifice 
is  composed,  it  demonstrates,  that  a  fund  of  science  and 
industry  is  implanted  in  man,  for  the  best,  most  salutary, 
and  beneficent  purposes. 

The  lapse  of  time,  the  ruthless  hand  of  ignorance,  and 
the  devastations  of  war,  have  laid  waste  and  destroyed 
many  valuable  monuments  of  antiquity,  On  which  the 
utmost  exertions  of  human  genius  have  been  employed. 
Even  the  Temple  of  SOLOMON,  so  spacious  and  magnifi- 
cent, and  constructed  by  so  many  celebrated  artists, 
escaped  not  the  unsparing  ravages  of  barbarous  force.4 

4  This  once  famous  Temple  is  no  m^.-e.  Its  destruction  by  the 
Romans,  as  predicted  by  Jesus  Christ,  was  fulfilled  in  the  most  minute 
particulars ;  and,  on  the  same  authority,  we  are  quite  certain  that  it 
will  never  be  rebuilt.  It  may  not,  however,  be  uninteresting  to  notice 
briefly  the  account  which  travellers  give  of  the  site  of  this  celebra- 
ted masonic  pile.  "Near  St.  Stephen's  gate,"  says  M.  Maundrell, 
"stands  an  indifferent  Turkish  house,  said  to  have  been  the  spot 
whereon  stood  the  palace  of  Pilate.  From  the  terrace  of  this  house 
you  have  a  fair  prospect  of  all  the  place  whereon  the  Temple  stood — 


8  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Freemasonry,  notwithstanding,  has  still  survived.  The 
attentive  ear  receives  the  sound  from  the  instructive 
tongue,  and  the  sacred  mysteries  are  safely  lodged  in  the 
repository  of  faithful  breasts.  Tools  and  implements  of 
architecture  (symbols  the  most  expressive!)  are  selected 
by  the  Fraternity,  to  imprint  on  the  memory  serious  and 
solemn  truths;  and  thus  the  excellent  tenets  of  the  insti- 
tution are  transmitted,  unimpaired,  under  circumstances 
precarious,  and  even  adverse  through  a  succession  of 
ages. 

SECT.  V. 

The  Government  of  the  Fraternity. 

THE  mode  of  government  observed  by  the  Fraternity 
will  give  the  best  idea  ~of  the  nature  and  design  of  the 
masonic  institution. 

Three  classes  are  established  among  Masons,  under 
different  appellations.  The  privileges  of  each  class  are 
distinct ;  and  particular  means  are  adopted  to  preserve 
those  privileges  to  the  just  and  meritorious.  Honour  and 
probity  are  recommendations  to  the  First  Class ;  in  which 
the  practice  of  virtue  is  enforced,  and  the  duties  of  moral- 
ity are  inculcated ;  while  the  mind  is  prepared  for  a  regu- 
lar progress  in  the  principles  of  knowledge  and  philosophy. 
Diligence,  assiduity,  and  application,  are  qualifications 
for  the  Second  Class ;  in  which  is  given  an  accurate  eluci- 
dation of  science,  both  in  theory  and  practice.  Here 
human  reason  is  cultivated,  by  a  due  exertion  of  the 
intellectual  powers  and  faculties ;  nice  and  difficult  theo- 
ries are  explained;  new  discoveries  are  produced,  and 

indeed,  the  only  good  prospect  that  is  allowed  you  of  it ;  for  there  is 
no  going  between  the  borders  of  it  without  forfeiting  your  life,  or( 
what  is  worse,  your  religion.  A  fitter  place  for  an  august  building 
could  not  be  found  in  the  world  than  in  this  area.  It  lies  on  the  top 
of  Mount  Moriah,  over  against  Mount  Olivet.  One  may  still  discover 
marks  of  the  great  labour  that  it  cost  to  cut  away  the  hard  rock,  and 
to  level  such  a  space  upon  so  strong  a  mountain.  In  the  middle  of 
the  area  stands  at  present  a  mosque,  of  an  octagonal  figure,  supposed 
to  be  built  upon  the  same  ground  whereon  anciently  stood  the  Sanc- 
tum Sanctorum.  It  is  neither  eminent  for  its  largeness  nor  its  struc- 
ture, and  yet  it  makes  a  stately  figure,  by  the  sole  advantage  of  its 
situation." — -EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  9/ 

those  already  known  beautifully  embellished.  The  Third 
Class  is  restricted  to  a  selected  few,  whom  truth  and 
fidelity  have  distinguished,  whom  years  and  experience 
have  improved,  and  whom  merit  and  abilities  have  enti- 
tled to  preferment.  With  them  the  ancient  land-marks 
of  the  Order  are  preserved;  and  from  them  we  learn  the 
necessary  instructive  lessons  which  dignify  the  Art,  and 
qualify  the  professors  to  illustrate  its  excellence  and 
utility. 

Such  is  the  established  plan  of  the  masonic  system. 
By  this  judicious  arrangement,  true  friendship  is  culti- 
vated among  different  ranks  of  men,  hospitality  promoted, 
industry  rewarded,  and  ingenuity  encouraged. 


SECT.  VI. 

Reasons  why  the  Secrets  of  Masonry  ought  not  to  be  publicly 
exposed;  and  the  Importance  of  those  Secrets  demonstrated. 

IF  the  secrets  of  Masonry  are  replete  with  such  advan- 
tage to  mankind,  it  may  be  asked,  Why  are  they  not 
divulged  for  the  general  good  ?  To  this  it  may  be  answer- 
ed— Were  the  privileges  of  Masonry  to  be  indiscriminately 
dispensed,  the  purposes  of  the  institution  would  not  only 
be  subverted,  but  our  secrets,  being  familiar,  like  other 
important  matters,  would  lose  their  value,  and  sink  into 
disregard. 

It  is  a  weakness  in  human  nature,  that  men  are  gene- 
rally more  charmed  with  novelty  than  with  the  intrinsic 
value  of  things.  Innumerable  testimonies  might  be 
adduced  to  confirm  this  truth.  Do  we  not  find  that  the 
most  wonderful  operations  of  the  Divine  Artificer,  however 
beautiful,  magnificent,  and  useful,  are  overlooked,  because 
common  and  familiar !  The  sun  rises  and  sets,  the  sea 
ebbs  and  flows,  rivers  glide  along  their  channels,  trees 
and  plants  vegetate,  men  and  beasts  act ;  yet  these,  being 
perpetually  open  to  view,  pass  unnoticed.  The  most 
astonishing  productions  of  Nature,  on  the  same  account, 
escape  observation,  arid  excite  no  emotion,  either  in  admi- 
ration of  the  great  Cause,  or  of  gratitude  for  the  blessing 
conferred.  Even  Virtue  herself  is  not  exempted  from 
this  unhappy  bias  in  the  human  frame.  Novelty  influences 
2* 


10  ILLUSTRATIONS 

all  our  actions  and  determinations.  What  is  new,  or 
difficult  in  the  acquisition,  however  trifling  or  insignifi- 
cant, readily  captivates  the  imagination,  and  ensures  a 
temporary  admiration;  while  what  is  familiar  or  easily 
attained,  however  noble  or  eminent,  is  sure  to  be  disre- 
garded by  the  giddy  and  the  unthinking. 

Did  the  essence  of  Masonry  consist  in  the  knowledge  of 
particular  secrets,  or  peculiar  forms,  it  might,  indeed,  be 
alleged  that  our  pursuits  were  trifling  and  superficial. 
But  this  is  not  the  case ;  they  are  only  the  keys  to  our 
treasure,  and,  having  their  use,  are  preserved;  while, 
from  the  recollection  of  the  lessons  which  they  inculcate, 
the  well-informed  Mason  derives  instruction :  he  draws 
them  to  a  near  inspection,  views  them  through  a  propel 
medium,  adverts  to  the  circumstances  which  gave  them 
rise,  and  dwells  upon  the  tenets  they  convey.  Finding 
them  replete  with  useful  information,  he  prizes  them  as 
sacred ;  and,  being  convinced  of  their  propriety,  estimates 
their  value  by  their  utility. 

Many  are  deluded  by  the  vague  supposition  that  our 
mysteries  are  merely  nominal;  that  the  practices  estab- 
lished amongst  us  are  frivolous  ;  arid  that  our  ceremonies 
may  be  adopted  or  waived  at  pleasure.  On  this  false 
basis  we  find  too  many  of  the  Brethren  hurrying  through 
all  the  degrees  of  the  Order,  without  adverting  to  the 
propriety  of  one  step  they  pursue,  or  possessing  a  single 
qualification  to  entitle  them  to  advancement.  Passing 
through  the  usual  formalities,  they  consider  themselves 
authorized  to  act  as  masters  of  the  art,  solicit  and  accept 
offices,  and  even  assume  the  government  of  the  lodge, 
equally  unacquainted  with  the  rules  of  the  institution  that 
they  pretend  to  support,  and  the  nature  of  the  trust 
which  they  are  bound  to  perform.  The  consequence  is 
obvious ;  anarchy  and  confusion  ensue,  and  the  substance 
is  lost  in  the  shadow.  Hence  men  who  are  eminent  for 
ability,  rank,  and  fortune,  frequently  view  the  honours 
of  Masonry  with  indifference  ;  and,  when  their  patronage 
is  solicited,  either  accept  offices  with  reluctance,  or  reject 
them  with  disdain.5 

5  The  above  remarks  are  worthy  of  the  serious  consideration  of 
every  person  who  is  ambitious  to  hold  an  office  in  Masonry.  I  have 
had  much  experience  in  the  management  of  country  lodges,  and  am 
aonvinced,  that  the  want  of  success,  which  is  so  often  and  so  justly 


OF    MASONRY.  11 

Masonry  has  long  laboured  under  these  disadvantages, 
and  every  zealous  friend  to  the  Order  must  earnestly 
wish  for  a  correction  of  the  abuse.  Of  late  years,  it 
must  be  acknowledged,  our  assemblies  have  been  in 
general  better  regulated ;  of  which  the  good  effects  are 
sufficiently  displayed  in  the  judicious  selection  of  our 
members,  and  the  more  proper  observance  of  our  general 
regulations. 

Were  the  Brethren  who  preside  at  our  meetings  to  be 
properly  instructed  previous  to  their  appointment,  and 
duly  apprized  of  the  importance  of  the  offices  they  are 
chosen  to  support,  a  general  reformation  would  speedily 
take  place.  This  conduct  would  establish  the  propriety 
of  our  government,  and  lead  men  to  acknowledge  that 
our  honours  were  not  undeservedly  conferred;  the  ancient 
consequence 'of  the  Order  would  be  restored,  and  the 
reputation  of  the  Society  preserved.  Till  genuine  merits 
shall  distinguish  our  claim  to  the  honours  of  Mason- 
ry, and  regularity  of  deportment  display  the  influence 
and  utility  of  our  rules,  the  world  in  general  will  not  be 
led  to  reconcile  our  proceedings  with  our  professions. 

SECT.  VII. 

Few  societies  exempted  from  Censure.     Irregularities  of  Ma- 
sons no  Argument  against  the  Institution. 

AMONG  the  various  societies  of  men,  few,  if  any,  are 
wholly  exempted  from  censure.  Friendship,  however 
valuable  in  itself,  and  however  universal  may  be  its 
pretensions,  has  seldom  operated  so  powerfully  in  gene- 
ral associations  as  to  promote  that  sincere  attachment  to 
the  welfare  and  prosperity  of  each  other  which  is  neces- 
sary to  constitute  true  happiness.  This  may  be  ascribed 
to  sundry  causes,  but  to  none  with  more  propriety  than 
to  the  reprehensible  motives  which  too  frequently  lead 
men  to  a  participation  of  social  entertainments.  If  to 
pass  an  idle  hour  to  oblige  a  friend,  or  probably  to  gra- 

complained  of,  and  frequently  ends  in  the  actual  dissolution  of  the 
establishment,  is  to  be  attributed,  in  nine  instances  out  of  ten,  to  a 
deficiency  in  point  of  judgment,  as  well  as  talent,  in  the  presiding 
officer.  Vide  Signs  and  Symbols,  by  the  Editor,  sect.  11,  on  the 
government  of  a  lodge. — EDITOR. 


12  ILLUSTTRAIONS 

fcify  an  irregular  indulgence,  be  the  only  inducement  to 
mix  in  company,  is  it  surprising  that  the  important  duties 
of  society  should  be  neglected,  and  that,  in  the  quick 
circulation  of  the  cheerful  glass,  the  noblest  faculties 
should  be  sometimes  buried  in  the  cup  of  ebriety? 

It  is  an  obvious  truth,  that  the  privileges  of  Masonry 
have  long  been  prostituted  for  unworthy  considerations, 
and  hence  their  good  effects  have  been  less  conspicuous. 
Many  have  enrolled  their  names  in  our  records  for  the 
mere  purposes  of  conviviality,  without  inquiring  into  the 
nature  of  the  particular  engagements  to  which  they  are 
subjected  by  becoming  Masons.6  Several  have  been 
prompted  by  motives  of  interest,  and  many  introduced 
to  gratify  an  idle  curiosity,  or  to  please  as  jolly  compa- 
nions. A  general  odium,  or  at  least  a  careless  indiffer- 
ence, must  be  the  result  of  such  conduct.  But  the  evil 
stops  not  here.  Persons  of  this  description,  ignorant  of 
the  true  nature  of  the  institution,  probably  without  any 
real  defect  in  their  own  morals,  are  induced  to  recom- 
mend others  of  the  same  cast  to  join  the  society  for  the 
same  purpose.  Hence  the  true  knowledge  of  the  art 

'  It  is  provided  by  the  laws  of  Masonry,  that  no  person  shall  bo 
received  as  a  candidate  for  initiation,  except  he  be  "a  freeman  and 
his  own  master ;  and,  at  the  time  of  his  initiation,  be  known  to  be  in 
reputable  circumstances.  He  should  be  a  lover  of  the  liberal  Arts 
and  Sciences,  and  have  made  some  progress  in  one  or  other  of 
them."  (CONST.  Of  proposing  members,  sect,  iv.,  p.  90.)  A  want 
of  attention  to  this  salutary  rule  induces  other  irregularities  which 
seldom  fail  to  involve  a  lodge  in  ultimate  ruin.  The  following  cen- 
sure of  the  Grand  Lodge  on  this  point  merits  general  circulation 
amongst  the  brethren.  For  obvious  reasons  the  name  of  the  offend- 
ing lodge  is  omitted.  "  It  being  remarked  in  the  Grand  Lodge  that 
some  of  the  brethren  of  the  Lodge  No.  —  were  unable  to  unite, 
inasmuch  as  their  marks  only  were  affixed  against  their  names,  and 
amongst  them  was  the  junior  warden ;  and  the  law,  sect,  iv.,  p.  90, 
declaring  such  individuals  ineligible  for  initiation,  the  M.  W.  Grand 
Master  will,  after  this  notice,  feel  it  a  duty  he  owes  to  the  Craft  to 
bring  under  the  cognizance  of  the  Grand  Lodge  the  conduct  of  any 
Lodge  which  shall  violate  the  wholesome  and  necessary  law  above 
referred  to ;  a  breach  of  which,  it  is  declared  in  the  preamble  to  the 
regulations  for  proposing  members,  <tec.,  p.  88,  shall  subject  the 
offending  Lodge  to  erasure.  And  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  will 
require  his  Provincial  Grand  Masters  to  warn  the  Lodges  under  their 
respective  superintendence,  of  this  His  Royal  Highness's  determina- 
tion, and  to  report  to  him  any  instance  which  shall  come  to  their 
knowledge  of  a  disregard  of  the  law  in  this  respect.  (Quart.  Com. 
26th  Sept.,  1826.)— EDITOR 


OF    MASONRY.  13 

decreases  with  the  increase  of  its  members,  and  the  most 
valuable  part  of  the  institution  is  turned  into  ridicule; 
while  the  dissipations  of  luxury  and  intemperance  bury 
in  oblivion  principles  which  might  have  dignified  the 
most  exalted  characters. 

When  we  consider  the  variety  of  members  of  which 
the  society  of  Masons  is  composed,  and  the  small  number 
who  are  really  conversant  with  the  tenets  of  the  institu- 
tion, we  need  not  wonder  that  few  should  be  distin- 
guished for  exemplary  lives.  By  persons  who  are 
precipitately  introduced  into  the  mysteries  of  the.  art, 
without  the  requisite  qualifications,  it  cannot  be  expected 
that  much  regard  will  be  paid  to  the  observance  of  duties 
which  they  perceive  to  be  openly  violated  by  their  own 
initiation ;  arid  it  is  an  incontrovertible  truth,  that,  such 
is  the  unhappy  bias  in  the  dispositions  of  some  men, 
though  the  fairest  and  best  ideas  were  imprinted  on  the 
mind,  they  are  so  careless  of  their  own  reputation  as  to 
disregard  the  most  instructive  lessons.  We  have  reason 
to  regret,  that  even  persons  who  are  distinguished  for  a 
knowledge  in  the  art,  are  too  frequently  induced  to 
violate  the  rules,  a  pretended  conformity  to  which  may 
have  gained  them  applause.  The  hypocrisy,  however, 
is  speedily  unveiled;  no  sooner  are  they  liberated  from 
the  trammels,  as  they  conceive,  of  a  regular  and  virtuous 
deportment,  in  the  temporary  government  of  the  lodge, 
than,  by  abusing  the  innocent  and  cheerful  repast,  they 
become  slaves  to  vice  and  intemperance,  and  not  only 
disgrace  themselves,  but  reflect  dishonour  on  the  Fra- 
ternity. By  such  indiscretions  the  best  of  institutions 
is  brought  into  contempt ;  and  the  more  deserving  part 
of  the  community  justly  conceives  a  prejudice  against 
the  society,  of  which  it  is  difficult  afterwards  to  do 
away  the  impression. 

But  if  some  do  transgress,  no  wise  man  will  thence 
argue  against  the  institution,  or  condemn  the  whole 
Fraternity  for  the  errors  of  a  few  misguided  individuals. 
Were  the  wicked  lives  of  men  admitted  as  an  argument 
against  the  religion  which  they  profess,  the  wisest  and 
most  judicious  establishments  might  be  exposed  to  cen- 
sure. It  may  be  averred  in  favour  of  Masonry,  that, 
whatever  imperfections  are  found  among  its  professors, 
the  institution  countenances  no  deviation  from  the  rules 


14  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  right  reason.  Those  who  violate  the  laws,  or  infringe 
on  good  order,  are  kindly  admonished  by  secret  monitors; 
when  these  means  have  not  the  intended  effect,  public 
reprehension  becomes  necessary ;  and,  at  last,  when 
every  mild  endeavour  to  effect  a  reformation  in  their 
conduct  is  of  no  avail,  they  are  expelled  the  lodge  as 
unfit  members  of  the  society. 

Vain,  therefore,  is  each  idle  surmise  against  the  plan 
of  our  government:  while  the  laws  .of  the  Craft  are 
properly  supported,  they  will  be  proof  against  every 
attack.  Men  are  not  aware,  that  by  decrying  any 
laudable  institution,  they  derogate  from  the  dignity  of 
human  nature  itself,  and  from  the  good  order  and  wise 
disposition  of  things,  which  the  almighty  Author  of  the 
world  has  framed  for  the  government  of  mankind,  and 
established  as  the  basis  of  the  moral  system.  Friendship 
and  social  delights  can  never  be  the  object  of  reproach ; 
nor  can  that  wisdom  which  hoary  Time  has  sanctified  be 
a  subject  of  ridicule.  Whoever  attempts  to  censure 
what  he  does  not  comprehend,  degrades  himself,  and 
the  generous  heart  will  pity  the  mistakes  of  such  ignor- 
ant presumption. 


SECT.    VIII. 

Charity  the  distinguishing  Characteristic  of  Masons. 

CHARITY  is  the  chief  of  all  the  social  virtues,  and  the 
distinguishing  characteristic  of  Masons.  This  virtue 
includes  a  supreme  degree  of  love  to  the  great  Creator 
and  Governor  of  the  universe,  and  an  unlimited  affection 
to  the  beings  of  his  creation,  of  all  characters  and  of 
every  denomination.  This  last  duty  is  forcibly  incul- 
cated by  the  example  of  the  Deity  himself,  who  liberally 
dispenses  his  beneficence  to  unnumbered  worlds. 

It  is  not  particularly  our  province  to  enter  into  a 
disquisition  of  every  branch  of  this  amiable  virtue;  we 
shall,  therefore,  only  briefly  state  the  happy  effects  of  a 
benevolent  disposition  towards  mankind,  and  show  that 
charity,  exerted  on  proper  objects,  is  the  greatest  plea- 
sure man  can  possibly  enjoy. 

The  bounds  of  the  greatest  nation  or  the  most  exten- 


OF    MASONRY.  15 

sive  empire  cannot  circumscribe  the  generosity  of  a 
liberal  mind.  Men,  in  whatever  situation  they  are 
placed,  are  still,  in  a  great  measure,  the  same.  They 
are  exposed  to  similar  .dangers  and  misfortunes;  they 
have  not  wisdom  to  foresee,  or  power  to  prevent,  the 
evils  incident  to  human  nature ;  they  hang,  as  it  were, 
in  a  perpetual  suspense  between  hope  and  fear,  sickness 
and  health,  plenty  and  want.  A  mutual  chain  of 
dependence  subsists  throughout  the  animal  creation. 
All  of  the  human  species  are,  therefore,  proper  objects 
for  the  exercise  of  charity. 

Beings  who  partake  of  one  common  nature  ought  to  be 
actuated  by  the  same  motives  and  interests.  Hence,  to 
soothe  the  unhappy,  by  sympathizing  with  their  mis- 
fortunes, and  to  restore  peace  and  tranquillity  to  agitated 
spirits,  constitute  the  general  and  great  ends  of  the 
Masonic  System.  This  humane,  this  generous  disposi- 
tion, fires  the  breast  with  manly  feelings,  and  enlivens 
that  spirit  of  compassion  which  is  the  glory  of  the 
human  frame,  and  which  not  only  rivals,  but  outshines 
every  other  pleasure  that  the  mind  is  capable  of  en- 
joying. 

All  human  passions,  when  directed  by  the  superior 
principle  of  reason,  tend  to  promote  some  useful  pur- 
pose ;  but  compassion  toward  proper  objects  is  the  most 
beneficial  of  all  the  affections,  and  excites  more  lasting 
degrees  of  happiness,  as  it  extends  to  greater  numberg, 
and  alleviates  the  infirmities  and  evils  which  are  incident 
to  human  existence. 

Possessed  of  this  amiable,  this  godlike  disposition, 
Masons  are  shocked  at  misery  under  every  form  and 
appearance.  When  they  behold  an  object  pining  under 
the  miseries  of  a  distressed  body  or  mind,  the  healing 
accents  which  flow  from  the  tongue  mitigate  the  pain  of 
the  unhappy  sufferer,  and  make  even  adversity,  in  its 
dismal  state,  look  gay.  When  pity  is  excited,  the  Mason 
wi!1  assuage  grief,  and  cheerfully  relieve  distress.  If  a 
Brother  L?  in  want,  every  heart  is  moved;7  when  he  is 

7  "In  1739,  tif-o"-  Pope  T'leenius  had  issued  his  bull  against  Free- 
masonry, one  Crudeii,  o.  ^reenwm,  was  imprisoned  at  Florence  by 
the  Inquisition,  and  suffered  u^  most  ^.nmerited  cruelties,  for  main- 
taining the  innocence  of  the  associate-  When  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  England  was  informed  of  his  miserable  sl.."U>n.  they  recollected 


16  ILLUSTRATIONS 

hungry,  we  feed  him ;  when  he  is  naked,  we  clothe  him ; 
when  he  is  in  trouble,  we  fly  to  his  relief.  Thus  we 
confirm  the  propriety  of  the  title  we  bear ;  and  convince 
the  world  at  large,  that  BROTHER,  among  Masons,  is 
more  than  the  name. 


SECT.  IX. 

The  Discernment  displayed  by  Masons  in  the  Choice  of 
~  'jects  of  Charity. 


THE  most  inveterate  enemies  of  Masonry  must  ac- 
knowledge, that  no  society  is  more  remarkable  for  the 
practice  of  charity,  or  any  association  of  men  more 
famed  for  disinterested  liberality.  It  cannot  be  said,  that 
Masons  indulge  in  convivial  mirth,  while  the  poor  and 
needy  pine  for  relief.  Our  charitable  establishments  and 
quarterly  contributions,  exclusive  of  private  subscrip- 
tions, to  relieve  distress,  prove  that  we  are  ready,  with 
cheerfulness,  in  proportion  to  our  circumstances,  to  alle- 
viate the  misfortunes  of  our  fellow-creatures.  Consider- 
ing, however,  the  variety  of  objects,  whose  distress  the 
dictates  of  Nature,  as  well  as  the  ties  of  Masonry,  incline 
us  to  relieve,  we  find  it  necessary  sometimes  to  inquire 
into  the  cause  of  misfortune;  lest  a  misconceived  ten- 
derness of  disposition,  or  an  impolitic  generosity  of 
heart,  might  prevent  us  from  making  a  proper  distinction 
in  the  choice  of  objects.  Though  our  ears  are  always 
open  to  the  distresses  of  the  deserving  poor,  yet  charity 
is  not  to  be  dispensed  with  a  profuse  liberality  on  impos- 
tors.3 The  parents  of  a  numerous  offspring,  who,  through 

that  a  foreigner,  however  low  his  rank,  and  however  distant  his  abode, 
had  a  claim  upon  their  sympathy.  They  transmitted  to  him  twenty 
pounds  for  procuring  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  exerted  every  nerve 
for  effecting  his  liberation."  (Lawrie,  p.  128.) — EDITOR. 

8  It  is  to  be  regretted  that,  from  the  charitable  principles  of  the 
institution,  masonic  impostors  are  very  numerous.  They  prowl 
about  the  country  with  fictitious  certificates,  and  often  succeed  in 
deluding  the  masters  of  lodges  and  other  benevolent  brothers,  to  the 
injury  of  worthy  Brethren,  whose  tale  of  distress  proceeds  from  the 
gonuine  workings  of  a  heart  oppressed  with  unmerited  misfortune. 
The  difficulty  of  distinguishing  between  real  and  assumed  objects  of 
charity,  may  be  estimated  from  such  cases  as  the  folio  wing,  extracted 


OF    MASONRY.  37 

age,  sickness,  infirmity,  or  any  unforeseen  accident  in 
life,  may  be  reduced  to  want,  particularly  claim  our 
attention,  and  seldom  fail  to  experience  the  happy  effects 
of  our  friendly  associations.  To  such  objects,  whose 
situation  is  more  easy  to  be  conceived  than  expressed, 
we  are  induced  liberally  to  extend  relief.  Hence  we 
give  convincing  proofs  of  wisdom  and  discernment ;  for, 
though  our  benevolence,  like  our  laws,  be  unlimited,  yet 
our  hearts  glow  principally  with  affection  toward  the 
deserving  part  of  mankind. 

From  this  view  of  the  advantages  which  result  from 
the  practice  and  profession  of  Masonry,  every  candid  and 
impartial  mind  must  acknowledge  its  utility  and  import- 
ance to  the  State ;  and  surely,  if  the  picture  here  drawn 
be  just,  it  must  be  no  trifling  acquisition  to  any  govern- 
ment, to  have  under  its  jurisdiction  a  society  of  men, 
who  are  not  only  true  patriots  and  loyal  subjects,  but 
the  patrons  of  science  and  the  friends  of  mankind. 


SECT.  X. 
Friendly  Admonitions. 

As  useful  knowledge  is  the  great  object  of  our  desire, 
let  us  diligently  apply  to  the  practice  of  the  art,  and 
steadily  adhere  to  the  principles  which  it  inculcates. 
Let  not  the  difficulties  that  we  have  to  encounter  check 

from  the  Quarterly  Communication  for  December,  1823.  "  A  Report 
from  the  Board  of  General  Purposes  was  read,  stating  that  an  indi- 
vidual, calling  himself  Simon  Ramus,  had  been  endeavouring  to 
impose  upon  Brethren,  and  to  obtain  pecuniary  assistance,  under  colour 
of  a  fabricated  certificate,  stating  him  to  have  been  a  member  of  the 
Lodge  No.  353,  formerly  No.  280,  but  which  certificate  had  been 
detained  from  him  by  the  Lodge  No.  283,  and  transmitted  to  the 
Grand  Lodge.  And,  also,  that  another  individual,  calling  himself 
Miles  Martin,  but  supposed  to  be  one  Joseph  Larkins,  had,  in  a 
similar  manner,  been  endeavouring  to  impose  upon  Brethren,  under 
colour  of  a  certificate  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland,  and  a  cer- 
tificate from  the  Lodge  No.  145,  at  Norwich,  but  which  certificates 
had  been  detained  by  the  S.  W.  of  the  Lodge  No.  779,  and  trans- 
mitted to  the  Grand  Lodge :  the  Board  stated  that  they  were  induced 
to  make  this  Report  with  a  view  to  guard  Brethren  against  further 
attempts  at  imposition  by  those  individuals,  although  their  means 
were,  in  a  great  measure,  destroyed  by  the  detention  of  the  certifi- 
cates."— EDITOR. 


18  ILLUSTRATIONS 

our  progress,  or  damp  our  zeal ;  but  let  us  recollect,  that 
the  ways  of  wisdom  are  beautiful,  and  lead  to  pleasure. 
Knowledge  is  attained  by  degrees,  and  cannot  every 
where  be  found.  Wisdom  seeks  the  secret  shade,  the 
lonely  cell,  designed  for  contemplation.  There  enthroned 
she  sits,  delivering  her  sacred  oracles.  There  let  us  seek 
her,  and  pursue  the  real  bliss.  Though  the  passage  be 
difficult,  the  farther  we  trace  it  the  easier  it  will  become. 
Union  and  harmony  constitute  the  essence  of  Freema- 
sonry: while  we  enlist  under  that  banner,  the  society 
must  flourish,  and  private  animosities  give  place  to  peace 
and  good  fellowship.  Uniting  in  one  design,  let  it  be 
our  aim  to  be  happy  ourselves,  and  contribute  to  the 
happiness  of  others.  Let  us  mark  our  superiority  and 
distinction  among  men,  by  the  sincerity  of  our  profession 
as  Masons;  let  us  cultivate  the  moral  virtues,  and  im- 
prove in  all  that  is  good  and  amiable ;  let  the  Genius  of 
Masonry  preside  over  our  conduct,  and,  under  her  sway, 
let  us  perform  our  part  with  becoming  dignity;  let  us 
preserve  an  elevation  of  understanding,  a  politeness  of 
manner,  and  an  evenness  of  temper ;  let  our  recreations 
be  innocent,  and  pursued  with  moderation;  and  never 
let  irregular  indulgences  lead  to  the  subversion  of  our 
system,  by  impairing  our  faculties,  or  exposing  our 
character  to  derision.  In  conformity  to  our  precepts,  as 
patterns  worthy  of  imitation,  let  the  respectability  of 
our  character  be  supported  by  the  regularity  of  our 
conduct  and  the  uniformity  of  our  deportment :  then,  as 
citizens  of  the  world,  and  friends  to  every  clime,  we 
shall  be  living  examples  of  virtue  and  benevolence, 
equally  zealous  to  merit,  as  to  obtain,  universal  appro- 
bation. 


OF    MASONRY.  19 


BOOK  II. 

• 

GENERAL   REMARKS:    INCLUDING  AN    ILLUSTRATION   OF 
THE  LECTURES;   A  PARTICULAR  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

ANCIENT     CEREMONIES  ;     AND    THE     CHARGES    USED    IN 
THE    DIFFERENT    DEGREES. 

SECT.  I. 
General  Remarks. 

MASONRY  is  an  art  useful  and  extensive.  In  every  art 
there  is  a  mystery,  which  requires  a  progress  of  study 
and  application  before  we  can  arrive  at  any  degree  of 
perfection.  Without  much  instruction,  and  more  exer- 
cise, no  man  can  be  skilful  in  any  art ;  in  like  manner, 
without  an  assiduous  application  to  the  various  subjects 
treated  in  the  different  lectures  of  Masonry,  no  person 
can  be  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  true  value  of  the 
institution. 

From  this  remark  it  is  not  to  be  inferred,  that  those 
who  labour  under  the  disadvantage  of  a  confined  educa- 
tion, or  whose  sphere  of  life  requires  assiduous  attention 
to  business  or  useful  employment,  are  to  be  discouraged 
in  their  endeavours  to  gain  a  knowledge  of  Masonry. 
To  qualify  an  individual  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the 
society  at  large,  or  to  partake  of  its  privileges,  it  is  no* 
absolutely  necessary  that  he  should  be  acquainted  with 
all  the  intricate  parts  of  the  science:  these  are  only 
intended  for  persons  who  may  have  leisure  and  opportu- 
nity to  indulge  the  pursuit. 

Some  may  be  more  able  than  others,  some  more  emi- 
nent, some  more  useful ;  but  all,  in  their  different  spheres, 
may  prove  advantageous  to  the  community;  and  our 
necessities,  as  well  as  our  consciences,  bind  us  to  love 
one  another.  To  persons,  however,  whose  early  years 
have  been  dedicated  to  literary  pursuits,  or  whose  cir- 
cumstances and  situation  in  life  render  them  independent, 


20  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  offices  of  the  lodge  ought  principally  to  be  restricted. 
The  industrious  tradesman  proves  himself  a  valuable 
member  of  society,  and  worthy  of  every  honour  that  we* 
can  confer;  but  the  nature  of  every  man's  profession 
will  not  admit  of  that  leisure  which  is  necessary  to 
qualify  him  to  become  an  expert  Mason,  so  as  to  discharge 
the  official  duties  of  the.  lodge  with  propriety.  And  it 
must  also  be  admitted,  that  those  who  accept  offices  and 
exercise  authority  in  the  lodge  ought  to  be  men  of  pru- 
dence and  address,  enjoying  the  advantages  of  a  well- 
cultivated  mind  and  retentive  memory.  All  men  are  not 
blessed  with  the  same  powers  and  talents;  all  men, 
therefore,  are  not  equally  qualified  to  govern.  He  who 
wishes  to  teach,  must  submit  to  learn ;  and  no  one  can 
be  qualified  to  support  the  higher  offices  of  the  lodge, 
who  has  not  previously  discharged  the  duties  of  those 
which  are  subordinate.  Experience  is  the  best  preceptor. 
Every  man  may  rise  by  gradation,  but  merit  and  industry 
are  the  first  steps  to  preferment.  Masonry  is  wisely 
instituted  for  different  ranks  and  degrees  of  men;  and 
every  brother,  according  to  his  station  and  ability,  may 
be  employed  in  the  lodge,  and  class  with  his  equal. 
Actuated  by  the  best  principles,  no  disquietude  is  found 
among  the  professors  of  the  art.  Each  class  is  happy  in 
its  particular  association ;  and  when  all  the  classes  meet 
in  general  convention,  one  plan  regulates  the  whole: 
neither  arrogance  nor  presumption  appear  on  the  one 
hand,  nor  diffidence  nor  inability  on  the  other ;  but 
every  brother  vies  to  excel  in  promoting  that  endearing 
happiness  which  constitutes  the  essence  of  civil  society. 


SECT.  II. 

The  Ceremony  of  Opening  and  Closing  the  Lodge. 

IN  all  regular  assemblies  of  men  which  are  convened 
for  wise  and  useful  purposes,  the  commencement  and 
conclusion  of  business  is  accompanied  with  some  form. 
In  every  country  of  the  world  the  practice  prevails,  and 
is  deemed  essential.  From  the  most  remote  periods  of 
antiquity  it  is  traced,  and  the  refined  improvements  of 
modern  times  have  not  abolished  it. 


OF    MASONRY.  21 

Ceremonies,  simply  considered,  are  little  more  than 
visionary  delusions;  but  their  effects  are  sometimes  im- 
portant.— When  they  impress  awe  and  reverence  on  the 
mind,  and  attract  the  attention  to  solemn  rites  by 
external  forms,  they  are  interesting  objects.  These 
purposes  are  effected  when  judicious  ceremonies  are 
regularly  conducted  and  properly  arranged.  On  this 
ground  they  have  received  the  sanction  of  the  wisest 
men  in  all  ages,  and,  consequently,  could  not  escape  the 
notice  of  Masons.  To  begin  well,  is  the  most  likely 
means  to  end  well :  and  it  is  justly  remarked,  that  when 
order  and  method  are  neglected  at  the  beginning,  they 
will  be  seldom  found  to  take  place  at  the  end. 

The  ceremony  of  opening  and  closing  the  lodge  with 
solemnity  and  decorum  is,  therefore,  universally  adopted 
among  Masons ;  and  though  the  mode  in  some  meetings 
may  vary,  and  in  every  Degree  must  vary,  still  an  uni- 
formity in  the  general  practice  prevails  in  the  lodge;  and 
the  variation  (if  any)  is  solely  occasioned  by  a  want  of 
method,  which  a  little  application  will  easily  remove. 

To  conduct  this  ceremony  with  propriety,  ought  to 
be  the  peculiar  study  of  all  Masons,  especially  of  those 
who  have  the  honour  to  rule  in  our  assemblies.  To 
persons  who  are  thus  dignified,  every  eye  is  directed  for 
regularity  of  conduct  and  behaviour;  and  by  their 
example,  other  brethren,  less  informed,  may  naturally 
expect  to  derive  instruction. 

From  a  share  in  this  ceremony  no  Mason  is  exempted; 
it  is  a  general  concern,  in  which  all  must  assist.  This 
is  the  first  request  of  the  Master,  and  the  prelude  to 
business.  No  sooner  has  it  been  signified,  than  every 
officer  repairs  to  his  station,  and  the  brethren  rank 
according  to  their  degrees.  The  intent  of  the  meeting 
becomes  the  object  of  attention;  and  the  mind  is 
insensibly  drawn  from  the  indiscriminate  subjects  of 
conversation  which  are  apt  to  intrude  on  our  less  serious 
moments. 

Our  first  care  is  directed  to  the  external  avenues  of 
the  lodge ;  and  the  officers,  whose  province  it  is  to  dis- 
charge that  duty,  execute  the  trust  with  fidelity.  By 
certain  mystic  forms,  of  no  recent  date,  it  is  intimated 
that  we  may  safely  proceed.  To  detect  impostors 
among  ourselves,  an  adherence  to  order  in  the  character 


22  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  Masons  ensues,  and  the  lodge  is  opened1  or  closed  in 
solemn  form. 

1  Charges  and  Regulations  for  the  Conduct  and  Behaviour  of  Masons 

A  rehearsal  of  the  Ancient  Charges  properly  succeeds  the  opening 
and  precedes  the  closing  of  the  lodge.  This  was  the  constant  prac- 
tice of  our  ancient  Brethren,  and  ought  never  to  be  neglected  in  our 
regular  assemblies.  A  recapitulation  of  our  duty  cannot  be  disagree- 
able to  those  who  are  acquainted  with  it ;  and  to  those  to  whom  it  is 
not  known,  should  any  such  be,  it  must  be  highly  proper  to  recom- 
mend it. 

On  the  Management  of  the  Craft  in  Working. 
[To  be  rehearsed  at  opening  the  Lodge.] 

Masons  employ  themselves  diligenlty  in  their  sundry  vocations,  live 
creditably,  and  conform  with  cheerfulness  to  the  government  of  the 
country  in  which  they  reside. 

The  most  expert  Craftsman  is  chosen  or  appointed  Master  of  the 
work,  and  is  duly  honoured  in  that  character  by  those  over  whom  he 
presides. 

The  Master,  knowing  himself  qualified,  undertakes  the  government 
of  the  lodge,  and  truly  dispenses  his  rewards  according  to  merit. 

A  Craftsman  who  is  appointed  Warden  of  the  work,  under  the 
Master,  is  true  to  Master  and  Fellows,  carefully  oversees  the  work, 
and  the  brethren  obey  him. 

The  Master,  Wardens,  and  Brethren,  are  just  and  faithful,  and  care- 
fully finish  the  work  they  begin,  whether  it  be  in  the  First  or  Second 
Degree ;  but  never  put  that  work  to  the  First,  which  has  been  appro- 
priated to  the  Second  Degree. 

Neither  envy  nor  censure  is  discovered  among  Masons.  No  brother 
is  supplanted,  or  put  out  of  his  work,  if  he  be  capable  to  finish  it ;  for 
he  who  is  not  perfectly  skilled  in  the  original  design,  can  never,  with 
equal  advantage  to  the  Master,  finish  the  work  which  has  been  begun 
by  another. 

All  employed  in  Masonry  meekly  receive  their  rewards,  and  use  no 
disobliging  name.  "  Brother"  is  the  appellation  they  bestow  on  each 
other.  They  behave  courteously  within  and  without  the  lodge,  and 
never  desert  the  Master  till  the  work  be  finished.* 

Laws  for  the  Government  of  the  Lodge. 

You  are  to  salute  one  another  in  a  courteous  manner,  agreeably  to 
/  the  forms  established  among  Masons  ;f  you  are  freely  to  give  such 
mutual  instructions  as  shall  be  thought  necessary  or  expedient,  not 
being  overseen  or  overheard,  without  encroaching  upon  each  other,  or 
derogating  from  that  respect  which  is  due  to  a  gentleman  were  he  not 
a  Mason ;  for  though,  as  Masons,  we  meet  as  brethren  on  a  level,  yet 

*  These  Charges  were  originally  rehearsed  by  the  seven  representatives  of  the  three 
Degrees  of  the  Order;  but.it  is  now  the  province  of  the  Chaplain  or  Secretary  of  the 
lod»e  to  deliver  them. 

t  In  the  lodge,  Masons  meet  as  members  of  the  same  family,  and  representatives  for 
tho  tiiuo  being  of  all  the  brethren  throughout  the  world  ;  every  prejudice,  therefore,  OB 
acoortnt  of  religion,  country,  or  private  opinion,  is  removed. 


OF    MASONRY.  S>3 

At  opening  the  lodge,  two  purposes  are  effected ;  the 
Master  is  reminded  of  the  dignity  of  his  character,  and 
the  brethren  of  the  homage  and  veneration  due  to  him 
in  their  sundry  stations.  These,  however,  are  not  the 
only  advantages  resulting  from  a  due  observance  of  the 
ceremony;  a  reverential  awe  for  the  Deity  is  inculcated, 
and  the  eye  is  fixed  on  that  object  from  whose  radiant 
beams  alone  light  can  be  derived.  Hence,  in  this  cere- 
mony, we  are  taught  to  adore  God,  and  supplicate  his 
protection  on  our  well-meant  endeavours.  The  Master 
assumes  his  government  in  due  form,  and  under  him  his 
Wardens ;  who  accept  their  trust,  after  the  customary 
salutations.  Then  the  Brethren,  with  one  accord,  unite 
in  duty  and  respect,  and  the  ceremony  concludes. 

At  closing  the   lodge,2  a  similar  form   takes   place. 

Masonry  deprives  no  man  of  the  honour  due  to  his  rank  or  character, 
but  rather  adds  to  his  honour,  especially  if  he  have  deserved  well  of 
the  Fraternity,  who  always  render  honour  to  whom  it  is  due,  and 
avoid  ill-manners. 

No  private  committees  are  to  be  allowed,  or  separate  conversations 
encouraged:  the  Master  or  Wardens  are  not  to  be  interrupted,  or  anj* 
brother  who  is  speaking  to  the  Master;  but  due  decorum  is  to  be 
observed,  and  a  proper  respect  paid  to  the  Master  and  presiding  officers. 

These  laws  are  to  be  strictly  enforced,  that  harmony  may  be  pre- 
served, and  the  business  of  the  lodge  be  carried  on  with  order  and 
regularity.  So  mote  it  be. 

2  Charge  on  the  Behaviour  of  Masons. 
[To  be  rehearsed  at  closing  the  Lodge.] 

When  the  lodge  is  closed,  you  are  to  enjoy  yourselves- with  innocent 
mirth,  but  carefully  avoid  excess.  You  are  not  to  compel  any  brother 
to  act  contrary  to  his  inclination,  or  give  offence  by  word  or  deed,  but 
enjoy  a  free  and  easy  conversation.  You  are  to  avoid  immoral  or 
obscene  discourse,  and  at  all  times  support  with  propriety  the  dignity 
of 'your  character. 

You  are  to  be  cautious  in  your  words  and  carriage,  that  the  most 
penetrating  stranger  may  not  discover  what  is  not  proper  to  be  inti- 
mated ;  and,  if  necessary,  you  are  to  waive  the  discourse,  and  manage 
it  prudently,  for  the  honour  of  the  Fraternity. 

At  home,  and  in  your  several  neighbourhoods,  you  are  to  behave  as 
wise  and  moral  men.  You  are  never  to  communicate  to  your  families, 
friends,  or  acquaintances,  the  private  transactions  of  our  different 
assemblies ;  but.  on  every  occasion,  consult  your  own  honour,  and  the 
reputation  of  the  Fraternity  at  large. 

You  are  to  study  the  preservation  of  health,  by  avoiding  irregularity 
and  intemperance ;  that  your  families  may  not  be  neglected  and  injured, 
or  yourselves  disabled  from  attending  to  your  necessary  employments 
in  life. 


24  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Here  the  less  important  duties  of  the  Order  are  not 
passed  unobserved.  The  necessary  degree  of  subordina- 
tion which  takes  place  in  the  government  of  the  lodge 
is  peculiarly  marked :  while  the  proper  tribute  of  grati- 
tude is  offered  up  to  the  beneficent  Author  of  life,  whose 
blessing  is  invoked,  and  extended  to  the  whole  Fraternity.8 
Each  brother  then  faithfully  locks  up  in  his  own  repository 
the  treasure  which  he  has  acquired ;  and,  pleased  with 
his  reward,  retires  to  enjoy,  and  disseminate  among  the 
private  circle  of  his  friends,  the  fruits  of  his  labour  and 
industry  in  the  lodge. 

These  are  faint  outlines  of  a  ceremony  which  univers- 
ally prevails  among  Masons,  and  distinguishes  all  their 

If  a  stranger  apply  in  the  character  of  a  Mason,  you  are  cautiously 
to  examine  him,  iu  such  a  method  as  prudence  may  direct,  and  agree- 
ably to  the  forms  established  among  Masons,  that  you  may  not  be 
imposed  upon  by  an  ignorant  false  pretender,  whom  you  are  to  reject 
with  contempt;*  and  beware  of  giving  him  any  secret  hints  of  know- 
ledge. But  if  you  discover  him  to  be  a  true  and  genuine  Brother, 
you  are  to  respect  him ;  if  he  be  in  want,  you  are,  without  prejudice, 
to  relieve  him,  or  direct  him  how  he  may  be  relieved ;  you  are  to  em- 
ploy him,  or  recommend  him  to  employment :  however,  you  are  never 
charged  to  do  beyond  your  ability ;  only  to  prefer  a  poor  Mason,  who 
is  a  good  man  and  true,  before  any  other  person  in  the  same  circum- 
stances. 

Finally,  These  rules  you  are  always  to  observe  and  enforce,  and 
also  the  duties  which  have  been  communicated  in  the  lecture ;  culti- 
vating brotherly  love,  the  foundation  and  cape-stone,  the  cement  and 
glory  of  this  ancient  Fraternity ;  avoiding,  on  every  occasion,  wrang- 
ling and  quarrelling,  slandering  and  backbiting ;  not  permitting  others 
to  slander  honest  brethren,  but  defending  their  characters,  and  doing 
them  good  offices,  so  far  as  may  be  consistent  with  your  honour  and 
safety,  but  no  further.  Hence  all  may  see  the  benign  influence  of 
Masonry ;  as  all  true  Masons  have  done  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world,  and  will  do  to  the  end  of  time.  So  mote  it  be. 

3  A  Prayer  used  at  opening  the  Lodge. 

May  the  favour  of  Heaven  be  upon  this  meeting !  and,  as  it  is  hap- 
pily begun,  may  it  be  conducted  in  order,  and  closed  in  harmony !  So 
mote  it  be. 

A  Prayer  used  at  closing  the  Lodge. 

May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  rest  upon  us,  and  on  all  regular  Masons 
throughout  the  world !  may  brotherly  love  prevail,  and  beautify  and 
cement  us  with  every  moral  and  social  virtue !  So  mote  it  be. 

*This  injunction  may  seem  uncharitable;  but  when  it  is  considered  that  the  secret! 
of  Masonry  are  open  to  all  men  of  probity  and  honour  who  are  well  recommended,  an 
illegal  intruder,  who  would  wish  to  obtain  that  to  which  he  has  no  claim,  and  deprive 
the  public  chari  ty  of  a  small  pittance  at  his  admission,  can  deserve  no  better  treatment. 


OF    MASONRY.  26 

meetings.  Hence,  it  is  arranged  as  a  general  Section  in 
every  Degree  of  the  Order,  and  takes  the  lead  in  all  OUT 
illustrations. 

SECT.  III. 
REMARKS  on  the  FIRST  LECTURE. 

HAVING  illustrated  the  ceremony  of  opening  and 
closing  the  lodge,  and  inserted  the  Prayers  and  Charges, 
usually  rehearsed  in  our  regular  assemblies  on  those 
occasions,  we  shall  no\*»  enter  on  a  disquisition  of  the 
different  Sections  of  the  Lectures  which  are  appropriat^i 
to  the  three  Degrees  of  the  Order ;  giving  a  brief  sum- 
mary of  the  whole,  and  annexing  to  every  remark  the 
particulars  to  which  the  Section  alludes.  By  these 
means  the  industrious  Mason  will  be  better  instructed  in 
the  regular  arrangement  of  the  Lectures,  and  be  enabled 
with  more  ease  to  acquire  a  competent  knowledge  of  the 
Art. 

The  First  Lecture  is  divided  into  sections,  and  each 
section  is  subdivided  into  clauses.  In  this  Lecture, 
virtue  is  painted  in  the  most  beautiful  colours,  and  the 
duties  of  morality  are  strictly  enforced.  Here  we  are 
taught  such  wise  and  useful  lessons  as  prepare  the  mind 
for  a  regular  advancement  in  the  principles  of  knowledge 
and  philosophy ;  and  these  are  imprinted  on  the  memory 
by  lively  and  sensible  images,  well  calculated  to  influ- 
ence our  conduct  in  the  proper  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  social  life. 

The  First  Section. 

The  First  Section  of  this  Lecture  is  suited  to  all 
capacities,  and  may,  and  ought  to  be  known  by  every 
person  who  wishes  to  rank  as  a  Mason.  It  consists  of 
general  heads,  which,  though  they  be  short  and  simple, 
will  be  found  to  carry  weight  with  them.  They  not 
only  serve  as  marks  of  distinction,  but  communicate 
useful  and  interesting  knowledge  when  they  are  duly 
investigated.  They  qualify  us  to  try  and  examine  the 
rights  of  others  to  our  privileges,  while  they  demonstrate 
our  own  claim ;  and  as  they  induce  us  to  inquire  minutely 
into  other  particulars  of  greater  importance,  they  serve 
3 


26  ILLUSTRATIONS 

as  a  proper  introduction  to  subjects  which  are  more 
amply  explained  in  the  following  Sections.4 

The  Second  Section. 

The  Second  Section  makes  us  acquainted* with  the 
peculiar  forms  and  ceremonies  which  are  adopted  at  the 
initiation  of  candidates  into  Masonry ;  and  convinces  us, 
beyond  the  power  of  contradiction,  of  the  propriety  of 
our  rites ;  whilst  it  demonstrates  to  the  most  sceptical 
and  hesitating  mind  their  excellence  and  utility.5 

A  Prayer  used  at  me  Initiation. 

"  Vouchsafe  thine  aid,  Almighty  Father  of  the  Universe, 
to  this  our  present  convention !  and  grant,  that  this 
Candidate  for  Masonry  may  dedicate  and  devote  his  life 
to  thy  service,  and  become  a  true  and  faithful  Brother 

4  As  we  can  annex  to  this  remark  no  other  explanation,  consistently 
with  the  rules  of  Masonry,  we  must  refer  the  more  inquisitive  to  our 
regular  assemblies  for  further  instruction. 

5  The  following  particulars,  relative  to  the  ceremony  of  initiation, 
may  be  introduced  here  with  propriet}'. 

The  Declaration  to  be  assented  to  by  every  Candidate  previous  to 
Initiation,  and  to  be  subscribed  by  his  Name  at  full  lengtJi. 

"  To  the  Worshipful  Master,  Wardens,  Officers,  and  Members  of  the 
Lodge  of  No. 

"  I  f  A.B.],  being  free  by  birth,  and  of  the  full  age  of  twenty-one 
years,  do  declare,  that,  unbiassed  by  the  improper  solicitation  of  friends, 
and  uninfluenced  by  mercenary  or  other  unworthy  motives,  I  freely 
and  voluntarily  offer  myself  a  candidate  for  the  mysteries  of  Masonry ; 
that  I  am  prompted  by  a  favourable  opinion  conceived  of  the  institu- 
tion, and  a  desire  of  knowledge :  and  that  I  will  cheerfully  conform  to 
all  the  ancient  usages  and  established  customs  of  the  Order.  Witness 
my  hand,  this  day  of  [A.B.l 

"Witness,  [C.D.]" 

N.  B.  Copies  of  this  Declaration  may  be  had  of  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary. 

The  Candidate  is  then  proposed  in  open  lodge,  as  follows : 

"  W.  Master  and  Brethren, 

"  At  the  request  of  A.  B.,  [mentioning  his  Christian  name  and  sur- 
name^ addition  or  profession,  and  place  of  abode,}  I  propose  him,  in 
form,  as  a  proper  Candidate  for  the  mysteries  of  Masonry.  I  recom- 
mend him,  as  worthy  to  share  the  privileges  of  the  Fraternity;  and, 
in  consequence  of  a  declaration  of  his  intentions,  voluntarily  made  and 
properly  attested,  I  believe  he  will  strictly  conform  to  the  rules  of  the 
Order." 

The  Candidate  is  then  ordered  to  be  prepared  for  Initiation. 


OF    MASONRY.  V<v,      Or  27 


amongst  us!  Endue  him  with  a  competency  of  thy 
Divine  wisdom  ;  that,  by  the  secrets  of  this  Art,  he  may 
be  the  better  enabled  to  display  the  beauties  of  godliness, 
to  the  honour  of  thy  holy  Name  !  So  mote  it  be."6 

The   Third  Section. 

The  Third  Section,  by  the  reciprocal  communication 
of  our  marks  of  distinction,  proves  the  regularity  of  our 
initiation  ;  and  inculcates  those  necessary  and  instructive 
duties  which  dignify  our  character,  in  the  double  capacity 
of  men  and  Masons. 

We  cannot  better  illustrate  this  section,  than  by  in- 
serting the  following 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  First  Degree.7 
BROTHER, 

[As  you  are  now  introduced  to  the  first  principles  of 
our  Order,  it  is  my  duty  to  congratulate  you  on  being 
accepted  a  member  of  an  ancient  and  honourable  Society  ; 
ancient,  as  having  subsisted  from  time  immemorial  ;  and 
honourable,  as  tending,  in  every  particular,  so  to  render 
all  men  who  will  be  conformable  to  its  precepts.  No 
institution  was  ever  raised  on  a  better  principle,  or  more 
solid  foundation  ;  nor  were  ever  more  excellent  rules  and 
useful  maxims  laid  down,  than  are  inculcated  on  every 
person  when  he  is  initiated  into  our  mysteries.  Monarchs 
in  all  ages  have  been  encouragers  and  promoters  of  the 
Art  :  and  have  never  deemed  it  derogatory  from  their 
dignities,  to  level  themselves  with  the  brethren,  to  extend 
their  privileges,  and  to  patronize  their  assemblies.] 

As  a  Mason,  you  are  to  study  the  Sacred  Law;8  to 
consider  it  as  the  unerring  standard  of  truth  arid  justice, 
and  to  regulate  your  life  and  actions  by  its  Divine  pre- 
cepts. 

The  three  great  moral  duties,  to  God,  your  neighbour, 

6  It  is  a  duty  incumbent  on  the  Master  of  the  lodge,  before  the 
ceremony  of  initiation  takes  place,  to  inform  the  Candidate  of  the 
purpose  and  design  of  the  institution;  to  explain  the  nature  of  his 
solemn  engagements;  and,  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  Masons,  to  require 
his  cheerful  acquiescence  to  the  tenets  of  the  Order. 

7  The   paragraphs  enclosed   in    brackets  []   may   be    occasionally 
omitted,  if  time  will  not  admit  of  delivering  the  whole  Charge. 

s  In  England,  the  Bible-  but  in  countries  where  that  book  is 
unknown,  whatever  is  understood  to  contain  the  will  or  law  of  God 
In  Fiance  and  Germany  the  Bible  is  of  the  Hebrew  text.—  EDITOR. 


28  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  yourself,  you  are  strictly  to  observe : — To  God,  by 
holding  his  name  in  awe  and  veneration :  viewing  him  as 
the  chief  good,  imploring  his  aid  in  laudable  pursuits,  and 
supplicating  his  protection  on  well-meant  endeavours  :— 
To  your  neighbour,  by  always  acting  upon  the  square ; 
and  considering  him  equally  entitled  with  yourself  to 
share  the  blessings  of  providence,  rendering  unto  him 
those  favours  and  friendly  offices,  which,  in  a  similar 
situation,  you  would  expect  to  receive  from  him  : — And 
to  yourself,  by  not  abusing  the  bounties  of  Providence, 
impairing  your  faculties  by  irregularity,  or  debasing  our 
profession  by  intemperance. 

In  the  state,  you  are  to  be  a  quiet  and  peaceable  sub- 
ject, true  to  your  sovereign,  and  just  to  your  country; 
you  are  not  to  countenance  disloyalty  or  rebellion,  but 
patiently  submit  to  legal  authority,  and  conform  with 
cheerfulness  to  the  government  under  which  you  live ; 
yielding  obedience  to  the  laws  which  afford  you  protec- 
tion ;  but  never  forgetting  the  attachment  you  owe  to 
the  place  of  your  nativity,  or  the  allegiance  due  to  the 
sovereign  or  protectors  of  that  spot. 

[In  your  outward  demeanour,  you  are  to  avoid  censure 
or  reproach ;  and  beware  of  all  who  may  artfully  endea- 
vour to  insinuate  themselves  into  your  esteem,  with  a 
view  to  betray  your  virtuous  resolutions,  or  make  you 
swerve  from  the  principles  of  our  institution.  Let  not 
interest,  favour,  or  prejudice  bias  your  integrity,  or  influ- 
ence you  to  be  guilty  of  a  dishonourable  action  ;  but  let 
your  conduct  be  uniform,  and  your  deportment  suitable 
to  the  dignity  of  the  profession.] 

Above  all,  practise  benevolence  and  charity ;  for  these 
virtues  have  distinguished  Masons  in  every  age  and  coun- 
try. [The  inconceivable  pleasure  of  contributing  toward 
the  relief  of  our  fellow-creatures,  is  truly  experienced 
by  persons  of  a  humane  disposition;  who  are  naturally 
excited,  by  sympathy,  to  extend  their  aid  in  alleviation 
of  the  miseries  of  others.  This  encourages  the  generous 
Mason  to  distribute  his  bounty  with  cheerfulness.  Sup- 
posing himself  in  the  situation  of  an  unhappy  sufferer,  he 
listens  to  the  tale  of  woe  with  attention,  bewails  misfor- 
tune, and  speedily  relieves  distress.] 

The  'Constitutions  of  the  Order9  are  next  to  engage 

9  Under  the  superintendence  :>f  William  Williams.  Esq..  Barrister 


OF    MASONRY.  29 

your  attention.  [These  consist  of  two  parts,  oral  and 
written  communications  ;  the  former  comprehending  the 
mysteries  of  the  Art,  are  only  to  be  acquired  by  practice 
and  experience  in  the  lodge  ;  the  latter  includes  the  his- 
tory of  genuine  Masonry ;  the  lives  and  characters  of  its 
patrons,  and  the  ancient  charges  and  general  regulations 
of  the  Craft.] 

A  punctual  attendance  on  the  duties  of  the  Order  we 
earnestly  enjoin  ;  more  especially  in  that  assembly  in 
which  your  name  is  enrolled  as  a  member.  [There,  and 
in  all  regular  meetings  of  the  Fraternity,  you  are  to 
behave  with  order  and  decorum,  that  harmony  may  be 
preserved,  and  the  business  of  Masonry  be  properly  con- 
ducted. The  rules  of  good-breeding  you  are  never  to 
violate,  by  using  unbecoming  language,  in  derogation  of 
the  name  of  God,  or  toward  the  corruption  of  good 
manners  ;  neither  are  you  to  enter  into  any  dispute  about 
religion  or  politics ;  nor  behave  irreverently,  while  the 
lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is  serious  and  important.]  On 
every  occasion  you  are  to  pay  a  proper  deference  and 
respect  to  the  Master  and  presiding  Officers,  and  diligently 
apply  to  the  work  of  Masonry,  that  you  may  the  sooner 
become  a  proficient  therein  ;  as  well  for  your  own  credit, 
as  for  the  honour  of  the  company  with  whom  you  asso- 
ciate. 

Although  your  frequent  appearance  at  our  regular 
meetings  be  earnestly  solicited,  your  necessary  employ- 
ments in  life  are  not  to  be  neglected  on  that  account: 
neither  are  you  to  suffer  your  zeal  for  Masonry  to  exceed 
the  bounds  of  discretion,  or  lead  you  into  argument  with 
persons  who  may  ridicule  our  institution ;  but  extend 
your  pity  toward  those  who  may  be  apt,  through  igno- 
rance, to  contemn  what  they  never  had  an  opportunity 
to  comprehend.  All  that  is  required  for  your  general 
observance  is,  that  you  study  the  liberal  arts  at  leisure : 
trace  science  in  the  works  of  eminent  masters;  and  im- 
prove in  the  disquisitions  of  the  system,  by  the  conver- 
'  sation  of  well-informed  brethren,  who  will  always  be  as 
ready  to  give,  as  you  can  be  to  receive  instruction. 

at  Law,  M.  P.  for  Weymouth,  and  P.  G.  M.  for  Dorsetshire,  a  new 
edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions  has  been  prepared,  and  partly 
published  by  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  since  the  ACT  OF  UNION  took 
place. 


30  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Finally :  Adhere  to  the  Constitutions ;  and  support  the 
privileges  which  are  to  distinguish  you  as  a  Mason  above 
the  rest  of  the  community,  and  mark  your  consequence 
among  the  Fraternity.  If,  in  the  circle  of  your  acquaint- 
ance, you  find  a  person  desirous  of  being  initiated  into 
the  Order,  be  particularly  attentive  not  to  recommend 
him,  unless  you  are  convinced  that  he  will  conform  to 
our  rules;  that  the  value  of  Masonry  may  be  enhanced  by 
the  difficulty  of  the  purchase ;  the  honour  and  reputation 
of  the  institution  be  established  OK  the  firmest  basis ;  and 
the  world  at  large  be  convinced  of  its  benign  influence. 

[From  the  attention  you  have  paid  to  the  recital  of  the 
duties  of  the  Order,  we  are  led  to  hope,  that  you  will 
form  a  proper  estimate  of  the  value  of  Freemasonry,  and 
imprint  on  your  mind  the  dictates  of  truth,  honour,  and 
justice.]10 

10  The  late  ±,odge  of  Reconciliation  (the  Rev.  Samuel  Hemming, 
D.D.,  Master)  recommended  the  use  of  the  following  CHARGE;  to  be 
recited  to  every  Mason  immediately  subsequent  to  his  initiation  j 
which  was  honoured  with  the  approbation  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge, 
their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Dukes  of  Kent  and  Sussex  being  present  ; 
the  former  illustrious  Prince  being  Past,  and  the  latter  Present  M.W. 
Grand  Master.  The  Editor,  however,  did  not  think  himself  justified 
in  omitting  the  Charge  to  which  Brother  Preston's  readers  and  hearers 
had  hitherto  been  accustomed. 

BROTHER, 

As  you  have  now  passed  through  the  ceremonies  of  your  initiation, 
allow  me  to  congratulate  you  on  being  admitted  a  member  of  our 
ancient  and  honourable  society.  Ancient,  no  doubt,  it  is,  as  having 
subsisted  from  time  immemorial;  and  honourable  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged to  be — because,  by  a  natural  tendency,  it  conduces  to  make  all 
those  honourable  who  are  strictly  obedient  to  its  precepts.  Indeed, 
no  institution  can  boast  a  more  solid  foundation  than  that  on  which 
Freemasonry  rests — The  practice  oj  social  and  moral  virtue:  and  to 
so  high  an  eminence  has  its  credit  been  advanced,  that  in  every  age, 
monarchs  themselves  have  become  the  promoters  of  the  Art; — have 
.not  thought  it  derogatory  from  their  dignity  to  exchange  the  sceptre 
for  the  trowel ; — have  patronized  our  mysteries ; — and  even  joined  in 
our  assemblies. 

As  a  Mason.  I  would  first  recommend  to  your  most  serious  contem- 
plation the  volume  of  the  Sacred  Law:  charging  you  to  consider  it  as 
the  unerring  standard  of  truth  and  justice,  and  to  regulate  your 
actions  by  the  divine  precepts  it  contains.  Therein  you  will  be  taught 
the  important  duties  you  owe  to  God,  to  your  neighbour,  and  to 
yourself.  To  God,  by  never  mentioning  his  name,  but  with  that  awe 
and  reverence  which  are  due  from  the  creature  to  his  Creator;  by 
imploring  his  aid  on  all  your  lawful  undertakings,  and  by  looking  up 


OF    MASONRY.  81 

This  section  usually  closes  with  the  following 

EULOGIUM. 

Masonry  comprehends  within  its  circle  every  branch 
of  useful  knowledge  and  learning,  and  stamps  an  indeli- 
ble mark  of  pre-eminence  on  its  genuine  professors,  which 
neither  chance,  power,  nor  fortune,  can  bestow.  When 
its  rules  are  strictly  observed,  it  is  a  sure  foundation  of 
tranquillity  amid  the  various  disappointments  of  life;  a 
friend,  that  will  not  deceive,  but  will  comfort  and  assist 
in  prosperity  and  adversity ;  a  blessing,  that  will  remain 
with  all  times,  circumstances,  and  places;  and  to  which 
recourse  may  be  had,  when  other  earthly  comforts  sink 
into  disregard. 

Masonry  gives  real  and  intrinsic  excellency  to  man, 
and  renders  him  fit  for  the  duties  of  society.  It  strength- 
ens the  mind  against  the  storms  of  life,  paves  the  way  to 

to  him  in  every  emergency,  for  comfort  and  support.  To  your  neigh- 
bour, by  acting  with  him  upon  the  square ;  by  rendering  him  every 
kind  office  which  justice  or  mercy  may  require;  by  relieving  his  dis- 
tresses, and  soothing  his  afflictions ;  and  by  doing  to  him,  as,  in  similar 
cases,  you  would  wish 'he  should  do  to  you.  And  to  yourself,  by  such 
a  prudent  and  well-regulated  course  of  discipline,  as  may  best  conduce 
to  the  preservation  of  your  corporeal  and  mental  faculties  in  their 
fullest  energy  ;  thereby  enabling  you  to  exert  the  talents  wherewith 
God  has  blessed  you,  as  well  to  his  glory,  as  to  the  welfare  of  your 
fellow-creatures. 

As  a  citizen  of  the  world,  I  am  next  to  enjoin  you  to  be  exemplary 
in  the  discharge  of  your  civil  duties,  by  never  proposing,  or  at  all 
countenancing,  any  act  that  may  have  a  tendency  to  subvert  the  peace 
and  good  order  of  society ;  by  paying  due  obedience  to  the  laws  of 
any  state  which  may  for  a  time  become  the  place  of  your  residence, 
or  afford  you  its  protection;  and  above  all,  by  never  losing  sight 
of  the  allegiance  due  to  the  Sovereign  of  your  native  land;  ever 
remembering,  that  Nature  has  implanted  in  your  breast  a  sacred  and 
indissoluble  attachment  to  that  country,  from  which  you  derived  your 
birth  and  infant  nurture. 

As  an  individual,  I  am  further  to  recommend  the  practice  of  every 
domestic  as  well  as  public  virtue.  Let  Prudence  direct  you!  Temper- 
ance chasten  you  !  Fortitude  support  you  !  and  Justice  be  the  guide  of 
all  your  actions !  Be  especially  careful  to  maintain,  in  their  fullest 
splendour,  those  truly  masonic  ornaments,  which  have  already  been 
amply  illustrated.  Benevolence  and  Charity. 

Still,  however,  as  a  Mason,  there  are  other  excellences  of  character, 
to  which  your  attention  may  be  peculiarly  and  forcibly  directed. 
Among  the  foremost  of  these  are.  Secrecy,  Fidelity,  Obedience. 

Secrecy  may  be  said  to  consist  in  an  inviolable  adherence  to  the 


32  ILLUSTRATIONS 

peace,  and  promotes  domestic  happiness.  It  meliorates 
the  temper,  and  improves  the  understanding;  it  is  com- 
pany in  solitude,  and  gives  vivacity,  variety,  and  energy, 
to  social  conversation.  In  youth,  it  governs  the  passions, 
and  employs  usefully  our  most  active  faculties;  and  in 
age,  when  sickness,  imbecility,  and  disease,  have  be- 
numbed the  corporeal  frame,  and  rendered  the  union  of 
soul  and  body  almost  intolerable,  it  yields  an  ample  fund 
of  comfort  and  satisfaction. 

These  are  its  general  advantages:  to  enumerate  them 
separately,  would  be  an  endless  labour.  It  may  be  suffi- 
cient to  observe,  that  he,  who  cultivates  this  science,  and 
acts  agreeably  to  the  character  of  a  Mason,  has  within 
himself  the  spring  and  support  of  every  social  virtue ;  a 
subject  of  contemplation,  that  enlarges  the  mind,  and 
expands  all  its  powers ;  a  theme  that  is  inexhaustible, 
ever  new,  and  always  interesting. 

obligation  you  have  entered  into,  never  improperly  to  reveal  any  of 
those  Masonic  Secrets  which  have  now  been,  or  may  at  any  future  time 
be,  intrusted  to  your  keeping;  and  cautiously  to  shun  all  occasions 
which  might  inadvertently  lead  you  so  to  do. 

Your  Fidelity  must  be  exemplified  by  a  strict  observance  of  the 
constitutions  of  the  Fraternity ;  by  adhering  to  the  ancient  landmarks 
of  the  Order;  by  n^ver  attempting  to  extort,  or  otherwise  unduly 
obtain,  the  secrets  of  a  superior  degree ;  and  by  refraining  to  recom- 
mend any  one  to  a  participation  of  our  secrets,  unless  you  have  strong 
grounds  to  believe  that,  by  a  similar  fidelity,  he  will  ultimately  reflect 
honour  on  our  choice. 

So  must  your  Obedience  be  proved  by  a  close  conformity  to  our 
laws  and  regulations;  by  prompt  attention  to  all  signs  and  summonses ; 
by  modest  and  correct  demeanour  whilst  in  the  lodge;  by  abstaining 
from  every  topic  of  religious  or  political  discussion;  by  ready  acquies- 
cence in  all  votes  and  resolutions  duly  passed  by  the  brethren :  and  by 
perfect  submission  to  the  Master  and  his  VYardens,  whilst  acting  in 
the  discharge  of  their  respective  offices. 

And.  as  a  last  general  recommendation,  let  me  exhort  you  to  dedi- 
cate yourself  to  such  pursuits  as  may  enable  you  to  become  at  once 
respectable  in  your  rank  of  life,  useful  to  mankind,  and  an  ornament  to 
the  society  of  which  you  have  this  day  been  admitted  a  member ;  that 
you  would  more  especially  devote  your  leisure  hours  to  the  study  of 
such  of  the  liberal  arts  and  sciences  as  may  lie  within  the  compass  of 
your  attainment;  and  that,  without  neglecting  the  ordinary  duties  of 
your  station,  you  would  consider  yourself  called  upon  to  make  a  daily 
advancement  in  masonic  knowledge. 

[From  the  very  commendable  attention  which  you  appear  to  have 
given  to  this  charge,  I  am  led  to  hope  that  you  will  duly  appreciate  the 
excellence  of  Freemasonry,  and  imprint  indelibly  on  your  mind  the 
sacred  dictates  of  Truth,  of  Honour,  and  of  Virtue !] 


OF    MASONRY.  33 

The  Fourth  Section. 

The  Fourth  Section  rationally  accounts  for  the  origin 
of  our  hieroglyphical  instruction,  and  points  out  the 
advantages  which  accompany  a  faithful  observance  of 
our  duty.  It  illustrates,  at  the  same  time,  certain  par- 
ticulars, our  ignorance  of  which  might  lead  us  into  error; 
and  which,  as  Masons,  we  are  indispensably  bound  to 
know. 

To  make  daily  progress  in  the  Art,  is  a  constant  duty 
and  expressly  required  by  our  general  laws.  What  end 
can  be  more  noble,  than  the  pursuit  of  virtue?  what 
motive  more  alluring,  than  the  practice  of  justice?  or 
what  instruction  more  beneficial,  than  an  accurate 
elucidation  of  symbols  which  tend  to  improve  and 
embellish  the  mind?  Every  thing  that  strikes  the  eye, 
more  immediately  engages  the  attention,  and  imprints  on 
the  memory  serious  and  solemn  truths.  Masons  have, 
therefore,  universally  adopted  the  plan  of  inculcating  the 
tenets  of  their  Order  by  typical  figures  and  allegorical 
emblems,  to  prevent  their  mysteries  from  descending 
within  the  familiar  reach  of  inattentive  and  unprepared 
novices,  fror%  whom  they  might  not  receive  due  venera- 
tion. 

The  usages  and  customs  of  Masons  have  ever  corre- 
sponded with  those  of  the  ancient  Egyptians;  to  which 
indeed,  they  bear  a  near  affinity.  Those  philosophers, 
unwilling  to  expose  their  mysteries  to  vulgar  eyes,*  con- 
cealed their  particular  tenets  and  principles  of  polity  and 
philosophy  under  hieroglyphical  figures;  and  expressed 
their  notions  of  government  by  signs  and  symbols,  which 
they  communicated  to  their  magi  alone,  who  were  bound 
by  oath11  never  to  reveal  them.  Pythagoras  seems  to  have 

1 1  "  The  oath  proposed  to  the  aspirant  for  the  Pythagorean  mysteries, 
was  made  on  the  number  FOUK,  or  Tetraclys,  which  was  expressed  by 
TEN  commas  or  jods,  x  supposing  it  to  be  derived  from  the  Tetragram- 
maton  of  the  Jews,)  disposed  in  the  form  of  an  equilateral  triangle, 
each  side  containing  four,  as  follows : 

,  Monad,  fire,  or  the  active  principle. 

,     .  Duad,  the  passive  principle. 

,  Triad,  the  world  proceeding  from  their  union. 

,  ' ,     ,     ,      Quaternary,  the  liberal  sciences. 

This  triangle,  as  some  authors  suppose,  bore  a  reference  to  the  Triune 
God,  whence  it  was  termed  Trigonon  mysticum.     larablichus  gives  us 
3* 


34  ILLUSTRATIONS 

established  his  system  on  a  similar  plan;  and  many 
Orders  of  a  more  recent  date  have  copied  the  example. 
Masonry,  however,  is  not  only  the  most  ancient,  but  the 
most  moral  Institution  that  ever  subsisted;  as  every 
character,  figure,  and  emblem,  depicted  in  the  lodge,  has 
a  moral  meaning,  and  tends  to  inculcate  the  practice  of 
virtue  on  those  who  behold  it.12 

The  Fifth  Section. 

The  Fifth  Section  explains  the  nature  and  principles 
of  our  institution,  and  teaches  us  to  discharge  with  pro- 
priety the  duties  of  the  different  departments  which  we 
are  appointed  to  sustain  in  the  government  of  the  lodge. 
Here,  too,  our  ornaments  are  displayed,  and  our  jewels 
and  furniture  specified  :  while  a  proper  attention  is  paid 
to  our  ancient  and  venerable  patron. 

To  explain  the  subjects  treated  in  this  Section,  and 
assist  the  industrious  Mason  to  acquire  them,  we  can 
only  recommend  a  punctual  attendance  on  the  duties  of 
the  lodge,  and  a  diligent  application  to  the  lessons  which 

are  there  inculcated. 

• 

The  Sixth  Section. 

The  Sixth  Section,  though  the  last  in  rank,  is  not  the 
least  considerable  in  importance.  It  strengthens  those 
which  precede;  and  enforces,  in  the  most  engaging  man- 
ner, a  due  regard  to  character  and  .behaviour^  in  public 
as  well  as  in  private  life;  in  the  lodge,  as  well  as  in  the 
general  commerce  of  society. 

This  Section  forcibly  inculcates  the  most  instructive 
lessons.  Brotherly  Love,  Relief',  and  Truth,  are  themes  on 
which  we  here  expatiate.  By  the  exercise  of  Brotherly 
Love,  we  are  taught  to  regard  the  whole  human  species 
as  one  family,  the  high  and  low,  the  rich  and  poor;  who, 
as  children  of  the  same  parent,  and  inhabitants  of  the 

the  words  of  this  tremendous  oath.  Ov  fta  rov  aperey^,  &c.  By  the 
GREAT  TETRACTYS,  or  name  IAO,  who  hath  communicated  the  foun- 
tain of  eternity  to  our  souls,  £c."  (Oliver's  Hist.  Init.,  in  notis.) 
— EDITOR. 

18  This  section  closes  with  a  definition  of  Charity,  for  which  see  p. 
14. 


OF    MASONRY.  35 

same  planet,  are  to  aid,  support,  and  protect  each  other. 
On  this  principle  Masonry  unites  men  of  every  country, 
sect,  and  opinion  ;13  and  conciliates  true  friendship  among 
those  who  might  otherwise  have  remained  at  a  perpetual 
distance. — Relief  is  the  next  tenet  of  the  profession ;  and, 
though  to  relieve  the  distressed  is  a  duty  incumbent  on 
all  men,  it  is  more  particularly  so  on  Masons,  who  are 
linked  together  by  an  indissoluble  chain  of  sincere  affec- 
tion. To,soothe  calamity,  alleviate  misfortune,  compas- 
sionate misery,  and  restore  peace  to'  the  troubled  mind, 
is  the  grand  aim  of  the  true  Mason.  On  this  basis  he 
establishes  his  friendships,  and  forms  his  connections. — 
Truth  is  a  divine  attribute,  and  the  foundation  of  every 
virtue.  To  be  good  and  true,  is  the  first  lesson  we  are 
taught  in  Masonry.  On  this  theme  we  contemplate,  and 
by  its  dictates  endeavour  to  regulate  our  conduct :  influ- 
enced by  this  principle,  hypocrisy  and  deceit  are  unknown 
in  the  lodge,  sincerity  and  plain-dealing  distinguish  us; 
while  the  heart  and  tongue  join  in  promoting  the  general 
welfare,  and  rejoicing  in  each  other's  prosperity. 

To  this  illustration  succeeds  an  explanation  of  the 
four  cardinal  virtues,  Temperance,  Fortitude,  Prudence,  and 
Justice. — By  Temperance,  we  are  instructed  to  govern  the 
passions,  and  check  unruly  desires.  The  health  of  the 
body,  and  the  dignity  of  the  species,  are  equally  con- 
cerned in  a  faithful  observance  of  it. — By  Fortitude,  we 
are  taught  to  resist  temptation,  and  encounter  danger 
with  spirit  and  resolution.  This  virtue  is  equally  distant 
from  rashness  and  cowardice ;  and  he,  who  possesses  it, 
is  seldom  shaken,  and  never  eve/thrown,  by  the  storms 
that  surround  him. — By  Prudence,  we  are  instructed  to 
regulate  our  conduct  by  the  dictates  of  reason,  and  to 
judge  and  determine  with  propriety  in  the  execution  of 
every  thing  that  tends  to  promote  either  our  present  or 

13  I  cite  a  single  instance  of  this  fact  from  Lawrie.  ;c  A  Scottish 
gentleman  in  the  Prussian  service  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Lutzen,  and  was  conveyed  to  Prague  along  with  four  hundred  of  his 
companions-in-arms.  As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  he  was  a  Mason, 
he  was  released  from  confinement ;  he  was  invited  to  the  tables  of  the 
most  distinguished  citizens,  and  requested  to  consider  himself  as  a 
Freemason,  and  not  as  a  prisoner  of  war.  About  three  months  after 
the  engagement,  an  exchange  of  prisoners  took  place,  and  the  Scottish 
officer  was  presented  by  the  Fraternity  with  a  purse  of  sixty  ducata 
to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  journey." — EDITOR. 


36  ILLUSTRATIONS 

future  well-being.  On  this  virtue,  all  others  depend ;  it 
is,  therefore,  the  chief  jewel  that  can  adorn  the  human 
frame. — Justice,  the  boundary  of  right,  constitutes  the 
cement  of  civil  society.  This  virtue,  in  a  great  measure, 
constitutes  real  goodness,  and  is  therefore  represented  as 
the  perpetual  study  of  the  accomplished  Mason.  With- 
out the  exercise  of  justice,  universal  confusion  would 
ensue;  lawless  force  might  overcome  the  principles  of 
equity,  and  social  intercourse  no  longer  exist,  r 

The  explanation  Of  these  virtues 'is  accompanied  with 
some  general  observations  on  the  equality  observed 
among  Masons.  In  the  lodge,  no  estrangement  of  be- 
haviour is  discovered ;  influenced  by  the  same  principle, 
an  uniformity  of  opinion,  which  is  useful  in  exigencies, 
and  pleasing  in  familiar  life,  universally  prevails,  strength- 
ens the  ties  of  friendship,  and  promotes  love  and  esteem. 
Masons  are  brethren  by  a  double  tie;  and  among  them, 
as  brothers,  no  invidious  distinctions  exist ;  merit  being 
always  respected,  and  honour  rendered  to  whom  honour 
is  due. — A  king,  in  the  lodge,  is  reminded,  that  although 
a  crown  may  adorn  the  head,  or  a  sceptre  the  hand,  the 
blood  in  the  veins  is  derived  from  the  common  parent  of 
mankind,  and  is  no  better  than  that  of  the  meanest  sub- 
ject.— The  statesman,  the  senator,  and  the  artist,  are 
there  taught  that,  equally  with  others,  they  are  by  nature 
exposed  to  infirmity  and  disease ;  and  that  an  unforeseen 
misfortune,  or  a  disordered  frame,  may  impair  their 
faculties,  and  level  them  with  the  most  ignorant  of  their 
species.  This  checks  pride,  and  incites  courtesy  of 
behaviour.  Men  of  inferior  talents,  or  who  are  not 
placed  by  fortune  in  such  exalted  stations,  are  instructed 
to  regard  their  superiors  with  peculiar  esteem;  when 
they  discover  them  voluntarily  divested  of  the  trappings 
of  external  grandeur,  and  condescending,  in  the  badge 
of  innocence  and  bond  of  friendship,  to  trace  wisdom, 
and  follow  virtue,  assisted  by  those  who  are  of  a  rank 
beneath  them.  Virtue  is  true  nobility,  and  Wisdom  is 
the  channel  by  which  Virtue  is  directed  and  conveyed ; 
Wisdom  and  Virtue,  only,  mark  distinction  among 
Masons. 

Such  is  the  arrangement  of  the  Sections  in  the  First 
Lecture ;  which,  including  the  forms  adopted  at  opening 
and  closing  the  lodge,  comprehends  the  whole  of  the 


OF    MASONRY.  37 

First  Degree.  This  plan  has  not  only  the  advantage  of 
regularity  to  recommend  it,  but  the  support  of  precedent 
and  authority,  ard  the  sanction  and  respect  which  flow 
from  antiquity.  The  whole  is  a  regular  system  of 
morality,  conceived  in  a  strain  of  interesting  allegory, 
which  readily  'unfolds  its  beauties  to  the  candid  and 
industrious  inquirer. 


SECT.  IV. 
REMARKS  on  the  SECOND  LECTURE. 

MASONRY  is  a  progressive  science,  and  is  divided  into 
different  classes,  or  Degrees,  for  the  more  regular  advance- 
ment in  the  knowledge  of  its  mysteries.  According  to 
the  progress  we  make,  we  limit  or  extend  our  inquiries; 
and,  in  proportion  to  our  talents,  we  attain  to  a  lesser  or 
greater  degree  of  perfection. 

Masonry  includes  almost  every  branch  of  polite  learn- 
ing under  the  veil  of  its  mysteries,  which  comprehend  a 
regular  system  of  virtue  and  science.  Many  of  its  illus- 
trations may  appear  unimportant  to  the  confined  genius; 
but  the  man  of  more  enlarged  faculties  will  consider 
them  in  the  highest  degree  useful  and  interesting.  To 
please  the  accomplished  scholar  and  ingenious  artist,  the 
institution  is  well  suited ;  and  in  the  investigation  of  its 
latent  doctrines,  the  philosopher  and  mathematician  may 
experience  equal  satisfaction  and  delight. 

To  exhaust  the  various  subjects  of  which  Masonry 
treats,  would  transcend  the  powers  of  the  brightest 
genius:  still,  however,  nearer  approaches  to  perfection 
may  be  made;  and  the  man  of  wisdom  will  not  check 
the  progress  of  his  abilities,  though  the  task  he  attempts 
may,  at  first,  seem  insurmountable.  Perseverance  and 
application  will  remove  each  difficulty  as  it  occurs; 
every  step  he  advances,  new  pleasures  will  open  to  his 
view,  and  instruction  of  the  noblest  kind  attend  his 
researches.  In  the  diligent  pursuit  of  knowledge,  great 
discoveries  are  made;  and  the  intellectual  faculties  are 
wisely  employed  in  promoting  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
good  of  mankind. 

SUCH  IS   THE    TENDENCY    OF    ALL    THE    ILLUSTRATIONS 


38  ILLUSTRATIONS 

IN  MASONRY.  REVERENCE  FOR  THE  DEITY  AND  GRATI- 
TUDE FOR  THE  BLESSINGS  OF  HEAVEN  ARE  INCULCATED 

IN  EVERY  DEGREE.  This  is  the  plan  of  our  system,  and 
the  result  of  our  inquiries. 

The  First  Degree  being  intended  to  enforce  the  duties 
of  morality,  and  imprint  on  the  memory  the  noblest 
principles  which  can  adorn  the  human  mind ;  the  Second 
Degree  extends  the  plan,  and  comprehends  a  more  diffu- 
sive system  of  knowledge.  Practice  and  theory  are 
united,  to  qualify  the  industrious  Mason  to  share  the 
pleasures  which  an  advancement  in  the  Art  necessarily 
affords.  Listening  with  attention  to  the  opinions  of 
experienced  men  on  important  subjects,  the  mind  of  the 
Craftsman  is  gradually  familiarized  to  useful  instruction, 
and  he  is  soon  enabled  to  investigate  truths  of  the  utmost 
concern  in  the  general  transactions  of  life. 

From  this  system  proceeds  a  rational  amusement. 
While  the  mental  powers  are  fully  employed,  the  judg- 
ment is  properly  exercised :  a  spirit  of  emulation  prevails ; 
and  every  brother  vies,  who  shall  most  excel  in  promot- 
ing the  design  of  the  Institution. 

The  First  Section. 

The  First  Section  of  the  Second  Degree  elucidates 
the  mode  of  introduction  into  this  class;  and  instructs 
the  diligent  Craftsman  how  to  proceed  in  the  proper 
arrangement  of  the  ceremonies  which  are  used  on  that 
occasion.  It  enables  him  to  judge  of  the  importance 
of  those  rites,  and  convinces  him  of  the  necessity  of 
adhefing  to  all  the  established  usages  of  the  Order. 
Here  -he  is  entrusted  with  particular  tests,  to  prove  his 
title  to  the  privileges  of  this  Degree;  and  satisfactory 
reasons  are  given  for  their  origin.  The  duties  which 
cement,  in  the  firmest  union,  well-informed  brethren,  are 
illustrated ;  and  an  opportunity  is  given  to  make  such 
advances  in  the  Art,  as  will  always  distinguish  the 
talents  of  able  Craftsmen. 

Besides  the  ceremony  of  initiation  in  the  Second 
Degree,  this  Section  contains  many  important  particu- 
lars, with  which  no  officer  of  the  lodge  should  be  unac- 
quainted. 


OP    MASONRY.  £9 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  Second  Degree.1* 
BROTHER, 

Being  advanced  to  the  Second  Degree  of  the  Order, 
we  congratulate  you  on  your  preferment.  [The  internal', 
and  not  the  external,  qualifications  of  a  man,  are  what 
Masonry  regards.  As  you  increase  in  knowledge,  you 
will  consequently  improve  in  social  intercourse. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  recapitulate  the  duties  which,  as 
a  Mason,  you  are  now  bound  to  discharge;  or  enlarge  on 
the  necessity  of  a  strict  adherence  to  them ;  as  your  own 
experience  must  have  established  their  value.  It  may 
be  sufficient  to  observe,  that]  Your  past  behaviour  and 
regular  deportment  have  merited  the  honour  which  we 
have  conferred ;  arid  in  your  new  character,  it  is  expected 
that  you  will  not  only  conform  to  the  principles  of  the 
Order,  but  steadily  persevere  in  the  practice  of  every 
virtue. 

The  study  of  the  liberal  arts  [that  valuable  branch  of 
education,  which  tends  so  effectually  to  polish  and  adorn 
the  mind]  is  earnestly  recommended  to  your  considera- 
tion; especially  the  science  of  Geometry,  which  is 
established  as  the  basis  of  our  Art.  [Geometry,  or 
Masonry,  originally  synonymous  terms,  is  of  a  divine  and 
moral  nature,  and  enriched  with  the  mos-t  useful  know- 
ledge: whilst  it  proves  the  wonderful  properties  of 
Nature,  it  demonstrates  the  more  important  truths  of 
Morality.] 

As  the  solemnity  of  our  ceremonies  requires  a  serious 
deportment,  you  are  to  be  particularly  attentive  to  your 
behaviour  in  our  regular  assemblies;  you  are  to  preserve 
our  ancient  usages  and  customs  sacred  and  inviolable, 
and  induce  others,  by  your  example,  to  hold  them  in  due 
veneration. 

The  laws  and  regulations  of  the  Order  you  are  strenu- 
ously to  support  and  maintain.  You  are  not  to  palliate, 
or  aggravate,  the  offences  of  your  brethren ;  but,  in  the 
decision  of  every  trespass  against  our  rules,  judge  with 
candour,  admonish  with  friendship,  and  reprehend  with 
mercy. 

14  The  sentences  enclosed  in  brackets  [  ]  may  be  occasionally 
omitted. 


4:0  ILLUSTRATIONS 

As  a  Craftsman,  in  our  private  assemblies  you  may 
offer  your  sentiments  and  opinions  on  such  subjects  as 
are  regularly  introduced  in  the  Lecture,  under  the  super- 
intendence of  an  experienced  Master,  who  will  guard  the 
land-mark  against  encroachment.  By  this  privilege  you 
may  improve  your  intellectual  powers;  qualify  yourself 
to  become  an  useful  member  of  society ;  and  like  a  skil- 
ful Brother,  strive  to  'excel  in  what  is  good  and  great. 

[15  All  regular  signs  and  summonses,  given  and  received, 
you  are  duly  to  honour,  and  punctually  obey;  inasmuch 
as  they  consist  with  our  professed  principles.  You  are 
to  encourage  industry  and  reward  merit ;  supply  the 
wants  and  relieve  the  necessities  of  brethren  and  fellows, 
to  the  utmost  of  your  power  and  ability;  and  on  no 
account  to  wrong  them,  or  see  them  wronged,  but  timely 
to  apprize  them  of  approaching  danger,  and  view  their 
interest  as  inseparable  from  your  own. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  your  engagement,  as  a  Craftsman  ; 
and  these  duties  you  are  now  bound,  by  the  most  sacred 
ties,  to  observe.] 

The  Second  Section. 

The  Second  Section  of  this  Degree  presents  an  ample 
field  for  the  man  of  genius  to  perambulate.  It  cursorily 
specifies  the  particular  classes  of  the  Order,  and  explains 
the  requisite  qualifications  for  preferment  in  each. 
In  the  explanation  of  our  usages,  many  remarks  are 
introduced,  which  are  equally  useful  to  the  experienced 
artist  and  the  sage  moralist.  The  various  operations  of 
the  mind  are  demonstrated,'  as  far  as  they  will  admit  of 
elucidation,  and  a  fund  of  extensive  science  is  explored 
throughout.  Here  we  find  employment  for  leisure 
hours;  trace  science  from  its  original  source;  ana  by 
drawing  the  attention  to  the  sum  of  perfection,  contem- 
plate with  admiration  the  wonderful  works  of  the 
Creator.  Geometry  is  displayed,  with  all  its  powers  and 
properties;  and  in  the  disquisition  of  this  science,  the 
mind  is  filled  with  rapture  and  delight.  Such  is  the 
latitude  of  this  Section,  that  the  most  judicious  may  fail 

15  This  and  the  folio  wing  paragraph  are  to  be  omitted,  if  previously 
used  in  the  course  of  the  ceremony. 


OF    MASONRY.  41 

in  an  attempt  to  explain  it ;  the  rational  powers  being 
exerted  to  their  utmost  stretch  in  illustrating  the  beau- 
ties of  Nature,  and  demonstrating  the  more  important 
trutns  of  morality. 

As  the  Orders  of  Architecture  come  under  consideration 
in  this  Section,  the  following  brief  description  of  them 
may  not  be  improper: 

By  order,  in  architecture,  is  meant  a  system  of  the 
members,  proportions,  and  ornaments  of  columns  and 
pilasters;  or,  it  is  a  regular  arrangement  of  the  project- 
ing parts  of  a  building,  which,  united  wdth  those  of  a 
column,  form  a  beautiful,  perfect,  and  complete  whole. 
Order  in  architecture  may  be  traced  from  the  first  forma- 
tion of  society.  When  the  rigour  of  seasons  obliged  men 
to  contrive  shelter  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
we  learn  that  they  first  planted  trees  on  end,  and  then 
laid  others  across,  to  support  a  covering.  The  bands 
which  connected  those  trees  at  top  and  bottom,  are  said 
to  have  suggested  the  idea  of  the  base  and  capitals  of 
pillars ;  and  from  this  simple  hint  originally  prpceeded 
the  more  improved  art  of  architecture. 

The  five  orders  are  thus  classed;  the  Tuscan,  Doric, 
Ionic,  Corinthian,  and  Composite. 

The  Tuscan  is  the  most  simple  and  solid  of  the  live 
orders.  It  was  invented  in  Tuscany,  whence  it  derives 
its  name.  Its  column  is  seven  diameters  high ;  and  its 
capital,  base,  and  entablature,  have  but  few  mouldings. 
The  simplicity  of  the  construction  of  this  column  ren- 
ders it  eligible  where  solidity  is  the  chief  ooject,  and 
where  ornament  would  be  superfluous. 

The  Doric  orderr  which  is  plain  and  natural,  is  the 
most  ancient,  and  was  invented  by  the  Greeks.  Its 
column  is  eight  diameters  high,  and  it  has  seldom  any 
ornaments  on  base  or  capital,  except  mouldings;  though 
the  frieze  is  distinguished  by  triglyphs  and  metopes,  and 
the  triglyphs  compose  the  ornaments  of  the  frieze.  The 
solid  composition  of  this  order  gives  it  a  preference  in 
structures  where  strength  and  a  noble  but  rough  sim- 
plicity are  chiefly  required.16 

16  The  Doric  is  the  best  proportioned  of  all  the  orders.   The  several 
parts  of  which  it  is  composed  are  founded  on  the  natural  position  oJ 
solid  bodies.     In  its  first  invention  it  was  more  simple  than  in  it 
present  state.     In  after-times,  when  it  began  to  be  adorned,  it  gained 


42  ILL  USl  RATIONS 

The  Ionic  bears  a  kind  of  mean  proportion  between 
the  more  solid  and  delicate  orders.  Its  column  is  nine 
diameters  high :  its  capital  is  adorned  with  volutes,  and 
its  cornice  has  denticles.  There  is  both  delicacy  and 
ingenuity  displayed  in  this  pillar ;  the  invention  of  which 
is  attributed  to  the  loriians,  as  the  famous  temple  of 
Diana  at  Ephesus  was  of  this  order.  It  is  said  to  have 
been  formed  after  the  model  of  an  agreeable  young 
woman,  of  an  elegant  shape,  dressed  in  her  hair;  as  a 
contrast  to  the  D6ric  order,  which  was  formed  after  that 
of  a  strong  robust  man. 

The  Corinthian,  the  richest  of  the  five  orders,  is  deemed 
a  master-piece  of  art,  and  was  invented  at  Corinth  by 
Callimachus.  Its  column  is  ten  diameters  high,  and  its 
capital  is  adorned  with  two  rows  of  leaves  and  eight 
volutes,  which  sustain  the  abacus.  The  frieze  is  orna- 
mented with  curious  devices,  and  the  cornice  with  denti- 
cles and  modillions.  This  order  is  used  in  stately  and 
superb  structures.17 

The  Composite  is  compounded  of  the  other  orders,  and 
was  contrived  by  the  Romans.  Its  capital  has  the  two 
rows  of  leaves  of  the  Corinthian,  and  the  volutes  of  the 
Ionic.  Its  column  has  the  quarter-round  as  the  Tuscan 
and  Doric  orders,  is  ten  diameters  high,  and  its  cornice 
has  denticles,  or  simple  modillions.  This  pillar  is  gene- 
rally found  in  buildings  where  strength,  elegance,  and 
beauty  are  united.18 

the  name  of  Doric ;  for  when  it  was  constructed  in  its  primitive  and 
simple  form,  the  name  of  Tuscan  was  conferred  on  it.  Hence  the 
Tuscan  precedes  the  Doric  in  rank,  on  account  of  the  resemblance  to 
that  pillar  in  its  original  state. 

17  Callimachus  is  said  to  have  taken  the  hint  of  the  capital  of  this 
pillar  from  the  following  remarkable  circumstance : — Accidently  pass- 
ing by  the  tomb  of  a  young  lady,  he  perceived  a  basket  of  toys 
covered  with  a  tile  placed  over  an  acanthus  root ;  having  been  left 
there  by  her  nurse.     As  the  branches  grew  up,  they  encompassed  the 
basket,  till,  arriving  at  the  tile,  they  met  with  an  obstruction,  and  bent 
downwards.     Callimachus,  struck  with  the  object,  set  about  imitating 
the  figure ;  the  vase  of  the  capital  he  made  to  represent  the  basket , 
the  abacus  the  tile ;  and  the  volutes  the  bending  leaves. 

18  The  original  orders  of  architecture  were  no  more  than  three : — the 
Doric.  Ionic,  and  Corinthian.     To  these  the  Romans  added  two : — the 
Tuscan,  which  they  made  plainer  than  the  Doric;  and  the  Composite 
which  was  more  ornamental,  if  not  more  beautiful  than  the  Corinthian. 
The  nrst  three  orders  alone  show  invention  and  particular  character 
and  essentially  differ  from  each  other ;  the  two  others  have  nothing 


OF    MASONRY.  43 

These  observations  are  intended  to  induce  the  indus- 
trious Craftsman  to  pursue  his  researches  into  the  rise 
and  progress  of  architecture,  by  consulting  the  works  of 
the  best  writers  on  the  subject,19 

From  this  theme  we  proceed  to  illustrate  the  moral 
advantages  of  Geometry: 

Geometry  is  the  first  and  noblest  of  sciences,  and  the 
basis  on  which  the  superstructure  of  Freemasonry  is 
erected. 

The  contemplation  of  this  science  in  a  moral  and  com- 
prehensive view  fills  the  mind  with  rapture.  To  the 
true  Geometrician,  the  regions  of  matter  with  which  he 
is  surrounded  afford  ample  scope  for  his  admiration, 
while  they  open  a  sublime  field  for  his  inquiry  and 
disquisition.  Every  blade  of  grass  which  covers  the 
field,  every  flower  that  blows,  and  every  insect  which 
wings  its  way  in  the  bounds  of  expanded  space,  proves 
the  existence  of  a  First  Cause,  and  yields  pleasure  to  the 
intelligent  mind. 

The  symmetry,  beauty,  and  order  displayed  in  the 
various  parts  of  animate  and  inanimate  creation  are 
pleasing  and  delightful  themes,  and  naturally  lead  to  the 
source  whence  the  whole  is  derived.  When  we  bring 
within  the  focus  of  the  eye  the  variegated  carpet  of  the 
terrestrial  creation,  and  survey  the  progress  of  the  vege- 
tative system,  our  admiration  is  justly  excited.  Every 
plant  that  grows,  every  flower  that  displays  its  beauties 
or  breathes  its  sweets,  affords  instruction  and  delight. 
When  we  extend  our  views  to  the  animal  creation,  and 
contemplate  the  varied  'clothing  of  every  species,  we  are 
equally  struck  with  astonishment !  and  when  we  trace 
the  lines  of  Geometry  drawn  by  the  Divine  pencil  in  the 
beautiful  plumage  of  the  feathered  tribe,  how  exalted  is 
our  conception  of  the  heavenly  work !  The  admirable 
structure  of  plants  and  animals,  and  the  infinite  number 

but  what  is  borrowed,  and  differ  only  accidentally;  the  Tuscan  is  the 
Doric  in  its  earliest  state;  and  the  Composite  is  the  Corinthian 
enriched  with  the  Ionic.  To  the  Greeks,  and  not  to  the  Romans,  we 
are  indebted  for  what  is  great,  judicious,  and  distinct,  in  architecture. 
19  How  much  soever  I  may  regret  the  loss  of  the  fine  analysis  of 
''  the  Senses"  which  Mr.  Preston  had  introduced  here  ;.yet,  as  it  forms 
no  part  of  the  present  system  of  Masonry,  it  is  necessarily  expunged 
— otherwise  this  volume  would  have  a  tendency  to  mislead  rather 
than  inform  — EDITOR. 


44  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  fibres  and  vessels  which  run  through  the  whole,  with 
the  apt  disposition  of  one  part  to  another,  is  a  perpetual 
subject  of  study  to  the  true  Geometrician ;  who,  while 
he  adverts  to  the  changes  which  all  undergo  in  their 
progress  to  maturity,  is  lost  in  rapture  and  veneration  of 
the  Great  Cause  that  produced  the  whole,  and  which 
continues  to  govern  the  system. 

When  he  descends  into  the  boavels  of  the  earth,  ami 
explores  the  kingdom  of  ores,  minerals,  and  fossils,  he 
finds  the  same  instances  of  Divine  wisdom  and  goodness 
displayed  in  their  formation  and  structure;  every  gem 
and  every  pebble  proclaims  the  handy-work  of  an  Al- 
mighty Creator. 

When  he  surveys  the  watery  element,  and  directs  his 
attention  to  the  wonders  of  the  deep,  with  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  mighty  ocean,  he  perceives  emblems  of  the 
same  Supreme  Intelligence.  The  scales  of  the  largest 
whale,  and  the  pencilled  shell  of  the  most  diminutive 
fish,  equally  yield  a  theme  for  his  contemplation,  on 
which  he  fondly  dwells;  while  the  symmetry  of  their 
formation,  and  the  delicacy  of  the  tints,  evince  to  his 
discerning  eye  the  Wisdom  of  the  Divine  Artist. 

When  he  exalts  his  view  to  the  more  noble  and  eleva- 
ted parts  of  Nature,  arid  surveys  the  celestial  orbs,  how 
much  greater  is  his  astonishment !  If,  on  the  principles 
of  Geometry  and  true  philosophy,  he  contemplates  the 
sun,  the  moon,  the  stars,  and  the  whole  concave  of 
heaven,  his  pride  is  humbled,  and  he  is  lost  in  awful 
admiration.  The  immense  magnitude  of  those  bodies, 
the  regularity  and  rapidity  of  thett  motions,  and  the  vast 
extent  of  space  through  which  they  move,  are  equally 
inconceivable ;  and,  as  far  as  they  exceed  human  compre- 
hension, baffle  his  most  daring  ambition,  till,  lost  in  the 
immensity  of  the  theme,  he  sinks  into  his  primitive  insig- 
nificance. 

By  Geometry,  then,  we  curiously  trace  Nature,  through 
her  various  windings,  to  her  most  concealed  recesses. 
By  it  we  discover  the  power,  the  wisdom,  and  the  good- 
ness of  the  Great  Artificer  of  the  universe,  and  view 
with  delight  the  proportions  which  connect  this  vast 
machine.  By  it  we  discover  how  the  planets  move  in 
their  different  orbits,  and  demonstrate  their  various  revo- 
lutions. By  it  we  account  for  the  return  of  seasons,  and 


OF    MASONRY.  45 

the  variety  of  scenes  Vhich  each  season  displays  to  the 
discerning  eye.  Numberless  worlds  are  around  us,  all 
framed  by  the  same  Divine  Artist,  which  roll  through 
the  vast  expanse,  and  are  all  conducted  by  the  same 
unerring  law. 

A  survey  of  Nature,  and  the  observation  of  her  beau- 
tiful proportions,  first  determined  man  to  imitate  the 
Divine  plan,  and  study  symmetry  and  order.  This  gave 
rise  to  societies,  and  birth  to  every  useful  art.  The 
architect  began  to  design ;  and  the  plans  which  he  laid 
down,  improved  by  experience  and  time,  produced  works 
which  have  been  the  admiration  of  every  age. 

The  Third  Section. 

The  Third  Section  of  this  Degree  has  reference  to  the 
origin  of  the  institution,  and  views  Masonry  under  two 
denominations,  Operative  and  Speculative.  These  are 
separately  considered,  and  the  principles  on  which  both 
are  founded  are  particularly  explained.  Their  affinity  is 
pointed  out  by  allegorical  figures  and  typical  representa- 
tions. Here  the  rise  of  our  government,  or  division  into 
classes  is  examined ;  the  disposition  of  our  rulers,  supreme 
and  subordinate,  is  traced ;  and  reasons  are  assigned  for 
the  establishment  of  several  of  our  present  practices. 
The  progress  made  in  architecture,  particularly  in  the 
reign  of  Solomon,  is  remarked ;  the  number  of  artists20 

20  I  copy  from  "Anderson's  Book  of  Constitutions,-"  the  numbers 

and  classes  of  all  the  Craftsmen  who  were  employed   about  this 

work : — 

^  Harodim,  princes,  rulers,  or  provosts 

Menalzehim,  expert  Master  Masons 3,300 

Gliiblim,  stone  squarers  and  sculptors,  ) 

Jsh  Cholzeb,  men  of  hewing, V  able  Fellow  Crafts    .    80,000 

Benai,  layers  or  builders, > 

The  levy  out  of  Israel,  appointed  to  work  in  Lebanon  one 
month  in  three,  10.000  every  month,  under  the  direction  of 
the  noble  Adoniram,  who  was  the  Junior  Grand  Warden  .  30,000 

All  the  Freemasons  employed  in  the  work  of  the  Temple, 

exclusive  of  the  two  Grand  Wardens 113,600 

Besides  the  Jsh  Sabbal,  or  ipen  of  burden,  the  remains  of  the 
old  Canaanites,  amounting  to  70,000,  who  are  not  numbered  among 
Masons.  Solomon  distributed  the  Fellow  Crafts  into  separate  lodges, 
with  a  master  and  wardens  in  each,  that  they  might  receive  commands 


46  ILLUSTRATIONS 

who  were  employed  in  building  th^Temple  of  Jerusalem, 
with  their  privileges,  are  specified ;  the  stipulated  period 
for  rewarding  merit  is  fixed,  and  the  inimitable  moral  to 
which  that  circumstance  alludes  is  explained ;  the  crea- 
tion of  the  world  is  described,  and  many  particulars  are 
recited,  which  have  been  carefully  preserved  among 
Masons,  and  transmitted  from  one  age  to  another  by  oral 
tradition.  In  short,  this  Section  contains  a  store  of 
valuable  knowledge,  founded  on  reason  and  sacred  record, 
both  entertaining  and  instructive,  and  is  well  calculated 
to  enforce  the  veneration  due  to  antiquity.21 

in  a  regular  manner,  might  take  care  of  their  tools  and  jewels,  might 
be  regularly  paid  every  week.  &c.,  and  the  Fellow  Crafts  took  care  of 
their  succession  by  educating  Entered  Apprentices." — EDITOR. 

81  We  can  afford  little  assistance,  by  writing,  to  the  industrious 
Mason  in  this  Section,  as  it  can  only  be  acquired  by  oral  communica- 
tion: for  an  explanation,  however,  of  the  connection  between  Operative 
and  Speculative  Masonry,  we  refer  him  to  the  Fourth  Section  of  Book 
I,  page  7. 

The  following  Invocation  of  Solomon,  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Tem- 
ple of  Jerusalem,  particularly  claims  our  attention  in  this  Section: 

INVOCATION. 

And  Solomon  stood  before  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  in  the  presence  of 
all  the  congregation  of  Israel,  and  spread  forth  his  hands;  saying. 

O  Lord  God,  there  is  no  god  like  unto  thee,  in  heaven  above,  or  in 
the  earth  beneath:  who  keenest  covenant,  and  shewest  mercy  unto 
thy  servants  who  walk  before  thee,  with  all  their*  hearts. 

Let  thy  word  be  verified,  which  thou  hast  spoken  unto  David,  my 
father. 

Let  all  the  people  of  the  earth  know,  that  the  Lord  is  God ;  and 
that  there  is  none  else. 

Let  all  the  people  of  the  earth  know  thy  name  and  fear  thee. 

Let  all  the  people  of  the  earth  know,  that  I  have  builfrthis  house, 
and  consecrated  it  to  thy  name. 

But  will  God,  indeed,  dwell  upon  the  earth?  Behold — the  heaven, 
and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee;  how  much  less  this 
house,  which  I  have  built! 

Yet,  have  respect  unto  my  prayer,  and  to  my  supplication,  and 
hearken  unto  my  cry : 

May  thine  eyes  be  open  toward  this  house,  by  day  and  by  night ; 
even  toward  the  place  of  which  thou  hast  said,  My  name  shall  be 
there  ? 

And  when  thy  servant,  and  thy  people  Israel,  shall  pray  towards 
this  house,  hearken  to  their  supplication;  hear  thou  them  in  heaven, 
thy  dwelling-place:  and  when  thou  nearest,  forgive! 

And  the  Lord  answered,  and  said,  I  have  hallowed  the  house  which 
thou  hast  built,  to  put  my  name  there  for  ever;  and  mine  eyes  and 
mine  heart  shall  be  there  perpetually. 

And  all  the  people  answered  and  said — The  Lord  is  gracious,  and 
his  mercy  eudureth  for  ever. 


OF    MASONRY.  47 

The  Fourth  Section. 

The  Fourth  and  last  Section  of  this  Degree  is  no  less 
replete  with  usefi.1  instruction.  Circumstances  of  real 
importance  to  the  Fraternity  are  here  particularized,  and 
many  traditional  tenets  and  customs  confirmed  by  sacred 
and  profane  record.  The  celestial  and  terrestrial  globes 
are  considered  with  accuracy  ;  and  here  the  accomplished 
gentleman  may  display  his  talents  to  advantage  in  the 
elucidation  of  the  sciences,  which  are  classed  in  a  regular 
arrangement.  The  stimulus  to  preferment,  and  the  mode 
of  rewarding  merit,  are  pointed  out ;  the  marks  of  dis- 
tinction which  were  conferred  on  our  ancient  Brethren, 
as  the  reward  of  excellence,  are  explained;  and  the 
duties,  as  well  as  privileges,  of  the  first  branch  of  their 
male  offspring  defined.  In  short,  this  Section  contains 
some  curious  observations  on  the  validity  of  our  forms, 
and  concludes  with  the  most  powerful  incentives  to  the 
practice  of  piety  and  virtue. 

As  the  seven  liberal  Arts  and  Sciences  are  illustrated 
in  this  Section,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  give  a  short 
explanation  of  them : 

Grammar  teaches  the  proper  arrangement  of  words, 
according  to  the  idiom  or  dialect  of  any  particular  people ; 
and  that  excellency  of  pronunciation  which  enables  us 
to  speak  or  write  a  language  with  accuracy,  agreeably 
to  reason  and  correct  usage. 

Rhetoric  teaches  us  to  speak  copiously  and  fluently  on 
any  subject,  not  merely  with  propriety,  but  with  all  the 
advantages  of  force  and  elegance;  wisely  contriving  to 
captivate  the  hearers  by  strength  of  argument  and  beauty 
of  expression,  whether  it  be  to  entreat  or  exhort,  to 
admonish  or  applaud. 

Logic  teaches  us  to  guide  our  reason  discretionally  in 
the  general  knowledge  of  things,  and  direct  our  inquiries 
after  truth.  It  consists  of  a  regular  train  of  argument, 
whence  we  infer,  deduce,  and  conclude,  according  to 
certain  premises  laid  down,  admitted,  or  granted  ;  and  in 
it  are  employed  the  faculty  of  conceiving,  judging,  rea- 
soning and  disposing;  which  are  naturally' led  on  from 
one  gradation  to  another,  till  the  point  in  question  is 
finally  determined. 

Arithmetic  teaches  the  powers  and  properties  of  num- 


48  ILLUSTRATIONS 

bers;  which  is  variously  affected  by  letters,  tables, 
figures  and  instruments.  By  this  art,  reasons  and  demon- 
strations are  given  for  finding  out  any  certain  number, 
whose  relation  or  affinity  to  others  is  already  known. 

Geometry  treats  of  the  powers  and  properties  of  magni- 
tudes in  general,  where  length,  breadth,  and  thickness 
are  considered.22  By  this  science,  the  architect  is  enabled 
to  construct  his  plans;  the  general,  to  arrange  his 
soldiers;  the  engineer,  to  mark  out  ground  for  encamp- 
ments ;  the  geographer,  to  give  us  the  dimensions  of  the 
world,  delineate  the  extent  of  seas,  and  specify  the  divisi- 
ons of  empires,  kingdoms,  and  provinces;  and  by  it, 
also,  the  astronomer  is  enabled  to  make  his  observations, 
and  fix  the  duration  of  times  and  seasons,  years  and 
cycles.  In  short,  Geometry  is  the  foundation  of  archi- 
tecture, and  the  root  of  the  mathematics. 

Music  teaches  the  art  of  forming  concords,  so  as  to 
compose  delightful  harmony,  by  a  proportional  arrange- 
ment of  acute,  grave,  and  mixed  sounds.  This  art,  by  a 
series  of  experiments,  is  reduced  to  a  science,  with 
respect  to  tones,  and  the  intervals  of  sound  only.  It 
inquires  into  the  nature  of  concords  and  discords,  and 
enables  us  to  find  out  the  proportion  between  them  by 
numbers. 

Astronomy  is  that  art  by  which  we  are  taught  to  read 
the  wonderful  works  of  the  Almighty  Creator  in  those 
sacred  pages,  the  celestial  hemisphere.  Assisted  by 
Astronomy,  we  observe  the  motions,  measure  the  dis- 
tances, comprehend  the  magnitudes,  and  calculate  the 
periods  and  eclipses,  of  the  heavenly  bodies.  By  it  we 
learn  the  use  of  the  globes,  the  system  of  the  world,  and 
the  primary  law  of  Nature.  While  we  are  employed  in 
the  study  of  this  science,  we  perceive  unparalleled 
instances  of  wisdom  and  goodness,  and  through  the  whole 
of  creation  trace  the  glorious  Author  by  his  works.23 

22  Thus  the  progression  is  from  a  point  to  a  line,  from  a  line  to  a 
superficies,  and  from  a  superficies  to  a  solid.  A  point  has  no  dimen- 
sions, but  is  an  indivisible  part  of  space.  A  line  is  the  continuation 
of  a  point,  embracing  cnly^the  single  capacity  of  length.  A  superficies 
has  two  dimensions,  length  and  breadth  ;  and  a  solid  has  three  dimen- 
sions, length,  breadth,  and  thickness. — EDITOR. 

93  The  doctrine  of  the  Spheres,  whic  his  included  in  the  science  of 
Astronomy,  is  also  particularly  considered  in  this  section. 

The  globes  are  two  artificial  spherical  bodies,  on  the  convex  surface 


OF    MASONRY.  49 

Thus  end  the  different  Sections  of  the  second  Lecture; 
which,  with  the  ceremony  used  at  opening  and  closing 
the  lodge,  comprehend  the  whole  of  the  Second  Degree 
of  Masonry.  Besides  a  complete  theory  of  philosophy 
and  physics,  this  Lecture  contains  a  regular  system  of 
science,  demonstrated  on  the  clearest  principles,  and 
established  on  the  firmest  foundation. 

SECT.  V. 

REMARKS  on  the  THIRD  LECTURE. 

IN  treating  with  propriety  on  any  subject,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  observe  a  regular  course ;  in  the  former  Degrees 
we  have  recapitulated  the  contents  of  the  several  Sec- 
tions, and  should  willingly  pursue  the  same  plan  in  this 
Degree,  did  not  the  variety  of  particulars,  of  which  it  is 
composed,  render  it  impossible  to  give  an  abstract,  with- 
out violating  the  rules  of  the  Order.  It  may  be  suffi- 
cient to  remark,  that,  in  twelve  Sections,  of  which  this 
Lecture  consists,  every  circumstance  that  respects  govern- 
ment and  system,  ancient  lore  and  deep  research,  curious 
invention  and  ingenious  discovery,  is  collected,  and  accu- 
rately traced ;  while  the  mode  of  practising  our  rites,  on 
public  as  well  as  private  occasions,  is  satisfactorily 
explained.  Among  the  brethren  of  this  Degree,  the 
landmarks  of  the  Order  are  preserved;  and  from  them 
is  derived  that  fund  of  information  which  expert  and 
ingenious  Craftsmen  only  can  afford,  whose  judgment 
has  been  matured  by  years  and  experience.  To  a  com- 

of  which  are  represented  the  countries,  seas,  and  various  parts  of  the 
earth ;  the  face  of  the  heavens,  the  planetary  revolutions,  and  other 
important  particulars.  The  sphere,  with  the  parts  of  the  earth  deli- 
neated on  its  surface,  is  called  the  terrestial  globe  ;  and  that  with  the 
constellations,  and  other  heavenly  bodies,  the  celestial  globe.  Their 
principal  use,  besides  serving  as  maps  to  distinguish  the  outward 
parts  of  the  earth,  and  the  situation  of  the  fixed  stars,  is,  to  illustrate 
and  explain  the  phenomena  arising  from  the  annual  revolution  and 
diurnal  rotation  of  the  earth  round  its  own  axis.  They  are  the 
noblest  instruments  for  giving  the  most  distinct  idea  of  any  problem 
or  proposition,  as  well  as  for  enabling  us  to  solve  it.  Contemplating 
these  bodies,  Masons  are  inspired  with  a  due  reverence  for  the  Deity 
and  his  works ;  and  are  induced  to  apply  with  diligence  and  attention 
to  astronomy,  geography,  navigation,  and  all  the  arts  dependent  on 
them,  by  which  society  has  been  so  much  benefited. 
4 


60  ILLUSTRATIONS 

plete  knowledge  of  this  Lecture,  few  attain ;  but,  it  is  an 
infallible  truth,  that  he  who  acquires  by  merit  the  mark 
of  pre-eminence  to  which  this  Degree  entitles  him, 
feceives  a  reward  which  amply  compensates  for  all  his 
past  diligence  and  assiduity. 

From  this  class  of  the  Order,  the  rulers  of  the  Craft 
are  selected ;  as  it  is  only  from  those  who,  are  capable  of 
giving  instruction  that  we  can  properly  expect  to  receive 
it  with  advantage. 

The  First  Section. 

The  ceremony  of  initiation  into  the  Third  Degree  *  is 
particularly  specified  in  this  branch  of  the  Lecture,  and 
many  useful  instructions  are  given. 

Such  is  the  importance  of  this  Section,  that  we  may 
safely  aver,  whoever  is  unacquainted  with  it,  is  ill  quali- 
fied to  act  as  a  ruler  or  governor  of  the  work  of  Masonry. 

Prayer  at  Initiation  into  the  Third  Degree. 

O  Lord,  direct  us  to  know  and  serve  thee  aright ! 
prosper  our  laudable  undertakings!  and  grant  that,  as 
we  increase  in  knowledge,  we  may  improve  in  virtue,  and 
still  farther  promote  thy  honour  and  glory !  So  mote  it  be. 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  Third  Degree. 
BROTHER, 

Your  zeal  for  the  institution  of  Freemasonry,  the  pro- 
gress which  you  have  made  in  the  Art,  and  your  conform- 
ity to  the  general  regulations,  have  pointed  you  out  as  a 
proper  object  of  our  favour  and  esteem. 

In  the  character  of  a  Master-mason,  you  are  henceforth 
authorized  to  correct  the  errors  and  irregularities  of 
brethren  and  fellows,  and  guard  them  against  a  breach 
of  fidelity.  To  improve  the  morals  and  correct  the  man- 
ners of  men  in  society,  must  be  your  constant  care. 
With  this  view,  therefore,  you  are  always  to  recommend 
to  inferiors,  obedience  and  submission ;  to  equals,  courtesy 

24  Our  American  brethren  use  an  abundance  of  scripture  quotations 
in  the  opening  and  conduct  of  this  Degree,  particularly  that  sublime 
observation  of  King  Solomon  recorded  in  Ecclesiastes,  xii.,1 — 7 
— EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  51 

and  affability ;  to  superiors,  kindness  and  condescension. 
Universal  benevolence  you  are  to  inculcate ;  and,  by  the 
regularity  of  your  own  behaviour,  afford  the  best  example 
for  the  conduct  of  others.  The  ancient  landmarks  of  the 
Order,  which  are  here  intrusted  to  your  care,  you  are 
to  preserve  sacred  and  inviolable ;  and,  never  suffer  an 
infringement  of  our  rights,  or  a  deviation  from  establish- 
ed usage  and  custom. 

Duty,  honour,  and  gratitude,  now  bind  you  to  be 
faithful  to  every  trust ;  to  support  with  becoming  dignity 
your  new  character ;  and  to  enforce,  by  example  and 
precept,  the  tenets  of  the  system.  Let  no  motive,  there- 
fore, make  you  swrerve  from  your  duty,  violate  your 
vows,  or  betray  your  trust ;  but  be  true  and  faithful,  and 
imitate  the  example  of  that  celebrated  artist  whom  you 
have  once  represented.  By  this  exemplary  conduct  you 
will  convince  the  world,  that  merit  has  been  your  title  to 
our  privileges ;  and  that,  on  you,  our  favours  have  not 
been  undeservedly  bestowed. 

The  Second  Section. 

The  Second  Section  is  an  introduction  to  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Chapter  of  Master-masons,  and  illustrates 
several  points  which  are  well  known  to  experienced  Crafts- 
men. It  investigates,  in  the  ceremony  of  opening  the 
Chapter,  some  important  circumstances  in  the  two  pre- 
ceding Degrees. 

The  Third  Section. 

The  Third  Section  commences  the  historical  traditions 
of  the  Order;  which  are  chiefly  collected  from  sacred 
record,  and  other  authentic  documents. 

The  Fourth  Section. 

The  Fourth  Section  farther  illustrates  the  historical 
traditions  of  the  Order;  and  presents  to  view  a  finished 
picture  of  the  utmost  consequence  io  the  Fraternity. 

The  Fifth  Section. 

The  Fifth  Section  continues  the  explanation  of  the 
historical  traditions  of  the  Order. 


62  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Sixth  Section. 

The  Sixth  Section  concludes  the  historical  traditions 
of  the  Order. 

The  Seventh  Section. 

The  Seventh  Section  illustrates  the  hieroglyphical 
emblems25  restricted  to  the  Third  Degree;  and  incul- 
cates many  useful  lessons,  which  are  intended  to  extend 
knowledge  and  promote  virtue. 

The  Eighth  Section. 

The  Eighth  Section  treats  of  the  government  of  the 
Fraternity,  and  the  disposition  of  our  rulers,  supreme  and 
subordinate.  It  is  generally  rehearsed  at  installations. 

The  Ninth  Section.26 

The  Ninth  Section  recites  the  qualifications  of  our 
rulers ;  and  illustrates  the  ceremony  of  installation  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  as  well  as  in  the  private  assemblies  of 
Masons. 

The  Tenth  Section. 

The  Tenth  Section  comprehends  the  ceremonies  of  con- 
stitution and  consecration,  and  a  variety  of  particulars 
explanatory  of  those  ceremonies. 

The  Eleventh  Section. 

The  Eleventh  Section  illustrates  the  ceremonies  used 
at  laying  the  foundation-stones  of  churches,  chapels, 
palaces,  hospitals,  &c. ;  also,  the  ceremonies  observed  at 
the  Dedication  of  the  Lodge,  and  at  the  Interment  of 
Master-masons. 

26  Amongst  these  Hieroglyphics  we  find,  the  Pot  of  Incense,  as  an 
emblem  of  a  pure  heart;  the  Bee-hive,  as  a  symbol  of  industry ;  the 
Hour-glass,  to  point  out  the  rapidity  of  time,  and  the  Scythe,  to  con- 
vince us  of  the  uncertainty  of  human  life ;  the  Anchor  and  Ark,  to 
invigorate  us  with  hopes  of  future  reward :  the  Sword,  of  retributive 
Justice ;  the  All-seeing  Eye ;  the  Three  Steps,  of  Youth,  Manhood, 
and  Old  Age.,  &c.,  &c.  Vide  Star  in  the  East,  by  the  Editor,— EDI- 


TOR. 

27 


For  many  particulars  to  which  this  and  the  two  following  Sections 
relate,  see  the  Ceremonies  of  Constitution,  Consecration,  Installation 
6ccM  annexed  to  these  remarks. 


OP    MASONRY.  68 

The   Twelfth  Section. 

The  Twelfth  Section  contains  a  recapitulation  of  the 
essential  points  of  the  Lectures  in  all  the  Degrees,  and 
corroborates  the  whole  by  infallible  testimony. 

Having  thus  given  a  general  summary  of  the  Lectures 
restricted  to  the  three  degrees  of  the  Order,27  and  made 
such  remarks  on  each  Degree  as  might  illustrate  the 
subjects  treated,  little  more  can  be  wanted  to  encourage 
the  zealous  Mason  to  persevere  in  his  researches.  He 
who  has  traced  the  Art  in  a  regular  progress  from  the 
commencement  of  the  First  to  the  conclusion  of  the 
Third  Degree,  according  to  the  plan  here  laid  down,  must 
have  amassed  an  ample  store  of  knowledge,  and  will 
reflect  with  pleasure  on  the  good  effects  of  his  past  dili- 
grace  and  attention.  By  applying  the  improvements  he 
has  made  to  the  general  advantage  of  society,  he  will 
secure  to  himself  the  approbation  of  all  good  men,  and 
the  veneration  of  Masons. 


SECT.  VI. 

Of  the  Ancient  Ceremonies  of  the  Order. 

WE  shall  now  proceed  to  illustrate  the  Ancient  Cere- 
monies of  the  Order,  particularly  those  observed  at  the 
Constitution  and  Consecration  of  the  Lodge,  and  at  the 
Installation  of  Officers,  with  the  usual  charges  delivered 

27  On  the  Continent,  the  Brethren  extend  Masonry  to  twenty-one 
Degrees,  which  are  as  follow :  1.  E.  A.  P.  2.  F.  C.  3.  M.  M.  4. 
Mark  Mason.  5.  Past  Master.  6.  Most  Excellent  Master.  7.  Royal 
Arch.  8.  Knights  of  the  Red  Cross.  9.  Nights  Templars.  10. 
Knights  of  Malta.  11.  Secret  Master.  12.  Perfect  Master.  13. 
Intimate  Secretary.  14.  Provost  and  Judge.  15.  Master  in  Israel. 
16.  Elected  Knights.  17.  Elected  Grand  Master.  18.  Illustrious 
Knights.  19.  Grand  Master  Architect.  20.  frights  of  the  Ninth 
Arch.  21.  Perfection.  But  some  enthusiasts,  who  identify  the 
Rosicrucians,  the  Knights  of  the  Swan,  and  the  White  Eagle, — the 
revolting  degrees  which  are  practised  in  the  East,  under  the  denomi- 
nation of  Turkish  Masonry,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. — augment  the  number  to 
more  than  a  hundred.  All  beyond  the  Royal  Arch,  however,  ought 
to  be  carefully  separated  from  genuine  Masonry,  as  they  are  mostly 
founded  on  vague  and  uncertain  traditions,  which  possess  not  the 
shadow  of  authority  to  recommend  them  to  our  notice.— EDITOR. 


54  ILLUSTRATIONS 

on  those  occasions.  We  shall  likewise  -annex  an  expla- 
nation of  the  Ceremonies  used  at  laying  the  Foundation- 
stones  of  Public  Structures,  at  the  Dedication  of  Public 
Halls,  and  at  Funerals  ;  and  close  this  part  of  the  treatise 
with  the  Funeral  Service. 

The  Manner  of  constituting  the  Lodge,  including  the  Cere 
mony  of  Consecration,  fyc. 

Any  number  of  regularly-registered  Masons,  not  undei 
seven,  resolved  to  form  the  new  Lodge,  must  apply,  by 
petition,28  to  the  Grand  Master. 

The  petition  must  be  recommended  by  the  officers  of 
some  regular  Lodge,  and  be  transmitted  to  the  Grand 
Secretary ;  unless  there  be  a  Provincial  Grand  Master  of 
the  district  or  province  in  which  the  Lodge  is  proposed 
to  be  holden ;  in  which  case,  it  is  to  be  sent  to  him,  or 
to  his  deputy;  who  is  to  forward  it,  with  his  recom- 
mendation or  opinion  thereon,  to  the  Grand  Master.  If 
the  prayer  of  the  petition29  be  granted,  the  provincial 

28  The  mode  of  applying,  by  petition,  to  the  Grand  Master,  for  a 
warrant  to  meet  as  a  regular  Lodge,  commenced  only  in  the  year 
1718 ;  previous  to  which  time,  Lodges  were  empowered,  by  inherent 
privileges  vested  in  the  Fraternity  at  large,  to  meet  and  act  occasion- 
ally under  the  direction  of  some  able  architect,  and  the  acting  magis- 
trate of  the  county ;  and  the  proceedings  of  those  meetings,  being 
approved  by  the  majority  of  the  Brethren  convened  at  another  Lodge 
assembled  in  the  same  district,  were  deemed  constitutional.  By  such 
an  inherent  authorit^,  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  in  London  now  acts ; 
having  no  warrant  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  an  authority  traced 
from  time  immemorial,  which  has  been  long  and  universally  admitted 
and  acknowledged  by  the  whole  Fraternity. 

29  The  following  is  the  form  of  the  Petition: 

"  To  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  of  the  United  Fraternity  of  Ancient, 
Free,  and  Accepted  Masons  of  England : 

"We,  the  undersigned,  being  regularly- registered  Masons  of  the 
Lodges  mentioned  against  our  respective  names,  having  the  prosperity 
of  the  Craft  at  heart,  are  anxious  to  exert  our  best  endeavours  to 
promote  and  diffuse  the  genuine  principles  of  the  Art :  and.  for  the 
conveniency  of  our  respective  dwellings,  and  other  good  reasons,  we 
are  desirous  of  forming  a  new  Lodge,  to  be  named 

In  consequence  of  this  desire,  we  pray  for  a  warrant  of 
constitution,  empowering  us  to  meet  as  a  regular  Lodge,  at 

on  the  of  every  month ;  and  there  to  discharge 

the  duties  of  Masonry,  in  a  constitutional  manner,  according  to  the 
forms  of  the  Order,  and  the  laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  we  have 
nominated,  and  do  recommend,  Brother  A.  B.  to  be  the  first  Master ; 


OF    MASONRY.  55 

Grand  Master  may  issue  a  dispensation,  authorizing  the 
Brethren  to  meet  as  a  Lodge,  until  a  warrant  of  consti- 
tution shall  be  signed  by  the  Grand  Master. 

In  consequence  of  this  dispensation,  the  lodge  is  formed 
at  the  place  specified ;  and  its  transactions,  being  properly 
recorded,  are  valid  for  the  time  being,  provided  they  are 
afterwards  approved  by  the  Brethren  convened  at  the 
time  of  Constitution. 

When  the  Grand  Lodge  has  signified  its  approbation 
of  the  new  Lodge,  and  the  Grand  Master  is  thoroutrhiy 
satisfied  of  the  truth  of  the  allegations  set  forth  in  the 
petition,  he  appoints  a  day  and  hour  for  constituting 
[and  consecrating30]  the  new  Lodge ;  and  for  installing 
the  Master,  Wardens,  and  Officers. 

If  the  Grand  Master  in  person  attend  the  ceremony, 
the  Lodge  is  said  to  be  constituted  IN  AMPLE  FORM  :  if 
the  Deputy  Grand  Master  acts  as  Grand  Master,  it  is  said 
to  'be  constituted  IN  DUE  FORM;  and  if  the  power  of 
performing  the  ceremony  be  vested  in  the  Mastei  of  a 
private  Lodge,  it  is  said  to  be  constituted  IN  FORM. 

Ceremony  of  Constitution. 

On  the  day  and  hour  appointed,  the  Grand  Master  and 
his  Officers,  or  the  Master  and  Officers  of  any  private 
Lodge  authorized  by  the  Grand  Master  for  that  purpose, 
meet  in  a  convenient  room ;  and,  when  properly  clothed, 
walk  in  procession  to  the  Lodge-room ;  where,  the  usual 
ceremonies  being  observed,  the  Lodge  is  opened  by  the 
Grand  Master,  or  Master  in  the  chair,  in  all  the  Degrees 

Brother  C.  D.  to  be  the  first  Senior  Warden ;  and  Brother  E.  F.  to  be 
the  first  Junior  "Warden  of  the  said  Lodge. 

';  The  prayer  of  this  petition  being  granted,  we  promise  strict  obe- 
dience to  the  commands  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  the  laws  and 
regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge." 

This  petition,  being  signed  by  at  least  seven  regular  Masons,  and 
recommended  by  the  Masters  of  three  regular  lodges  adjacent  to  the 
place  where  the  new  lodge  is  to  be  formed,  ia  delivered  to  the  Grand 
Secretary  ;  who,  on  presenting  it  to  the  Grand  Master,  or  in  his  absence 
to  the  Deputy,  and  its  being  approved,  is  ordered  to  grant  a  dispensa- 
tion, authorizing  the  brethren  specified  in  the  petition  to  assemble  as 
Masons  in  open  lodge,  for  forty  days,  and  practise  the  rites  of  the 
Order,  until  such  time  as  a  constitution  can  be  obtained  by  command 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  that  authority  be  recalled. 

88  This  is  frequently  omitted. 


56  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  the  Order.  After  a  short  prayer,  an  ode  in  honour  of 
Masonry  is  sung.  The  Grand  Master,  or  Master  in  the 
chair,  is  informed  by  the  Grand  Secretery,  or  his  locum 
tenens,  "  That  the  Brethren  then  present  [naming  them], 
being  duly  instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  the  Art,  desire 
to  be  formed  into  the  new  Lodge,  under  the  Grand 
Master's  patronage ;  that  a  dispensation  has  been  granted 
to  them  for  the  purpose ;  and  that  by  virtue  of  this 
authority  they  had  assembled  as  regular  Masons,  and 
duly  recorded  their  proceedings."  The  petition  is  read, 
as  is  also  the  dispensation,  and  the  warrant  or  charter  of 
constitution,  which  had  been  granted  in  consequence  of 
it.  The  minutes  of  the  new  Lodge,  while  under  dispen- 
sation, are  likewise  read,  and,  being  approved,  are  declared 
to  be  regular,  valid,  and  constitutional.  The  Grand 
Master,  or  Master  in  the  chair,  then  takes  the  warrant  in 
his  hand,  and  requests  the  Brethren  of  the  new  Lodge 
publicly  to  signify  their  approbation  or  disapprobation 
of  the  Officers  who  are  nominated  in  the  warrant  to 
preside  over  them.  This  being  signified  accordingly,  an 
anthem  is  sung,  and  an  oration  on  the  nature  and  design 
of  the  Institution  is  delivered. 

The  ceremony  of  Consecration  succeeds ;  which  is 
never  to  be  used  but  when  it  is  specially  ordered. 

Ceremony  of  Consecration. 

The  Grand  Master  and  his  Officers,  accompanied  by 
some  dignified  Clergyman,  having  taken  their  stations, 
and  the  Lodge,  which  is  placed  in  the  centre,  being 
covered  with  white  satin,  the  ceremony  of  consecration 
commences.  All  devoutly  kneel,  and  the  preparatory 
prayer  is  rehearsed.  The  chaplain  or  orator  produces 
his  authority,31  and,  being  properly  assisted,  proceeds  to 
consecrate.32  Solemn  music  is  introduced,  while  the 
necessary  preparations  are  making.  The  Lodge  being 
then  uncovered,  the  first  clause  of  the  consecration  prayer 
is  rehearsed,  all  devoutly  kneeling.  The  response  being 
made,  GLORY  TO  GOD  ON  HIGH,  incense  is  scattered  over 
the  Lodge,  and  the  grand  honouss  are  given.  The  Invo- 

11  The  constitution  roll. 

8a  Corn,  wine,  and  oil,  are  the  elements  of  consecration. 


OF    MASONRY.  67 

cation  is  then  pronounced,  with  the  honours ;  after  which 
the  consecration-prayer  is  concluded,  and  the  response 
repeated  as  before,  together  with  the  honours.  The 
Lodge  being  again  covered,  all  the  Brethren  rise  up, 
solemn  music  is  resumed,  a  blessing  is  given,  and  the 
response  made  as  before,  accompanied  with  the  honours. 
An  anthem  is  then  sung ;  and  the  Brethren  of  the  new 
Lodge  having  advanced  according  to  rank,  and  offered 
homage  to  the  Grand  Master,  the  ceremony  of  consecra- 
tion ends. 

The  above  ceremony  being  finished,  the  Grand  Master 
advances  to  the  pedestal,  and  constitutes  the  new  Lodge 
in  the  following  form  : — 

•  '  In  the  elevated  character  of  Grand  Master,  to  which 
the  suffrages  of  my  brethren  have  raised  me,  I  invoke 
the  NAME  of  the  MOST  HIGH,  to  whom  be  glory  and 
honour !  May  He  be  with  you  at  your  beginning, 
strengthen  you  in  the  principles  of  our  royal  Art,  prosper 
you  with  all  success,  and  direct  your  zealous  efforts  to 
the  good  of  the  Craft !  By  the  Divine  aid,  I  constitute 
and  form  you,  my  good  Brethren,  Masters,  and  Fellows, 
into  the  regular  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons ; 
and  henceforth  empower  you  to  act  in  conformity  to  the 
rites  of  our  venerable  Order,  and  the  charges  of  our 
ancient  Fraternity.  May  God  be  with  you !"  Amen. 

Flourish  with  drums  and  trumpets. 

The  grand  honours  are  then  given ;  and  the  ceremony 
of  Installation  succeeds. 

Ceremony  of  Installation. 

The  Grand  Master33  asks  his  deputy,  "Whether  he  has 
examined  the  Master  nominated  in  the  warrant,  and  finds 
him  well  skilled  in  the  noble  science  and  royal  Art?" 
The  Deputy  having  answered  in  the  affirmative,54  by  the 
Grand  Master's  order  takes  the  candidate  from  among 
his  fellows,  and  presents  him  at  the  pedestal,  saying, 

33  In  this  and  similar  instances  where  the  Grand  Master  is  specffied 
as  acting,  may  be  understood  any  Master  of  a  Lodge  who  performs 
the  ceremony. 

34  A  private  examination  is  always  understood  to  precede  the  install 
ation  of  every  officer. 

4* 


58  ILLUSTRATIONS 

"  Most  worshipful  Grand  Master,  [or  worshipful  Master, 
as  it  happens,]  1  present  my  worthy  brother  A.  B.  to  be 
installed  Master  of  the  Lodge.  I  find  him  to  be  of  good 
morals,  of  great  skill,  true  arid  trusty,  and  a  lover  of  the 
whole  Fraternity,  wheresover  dispersed  over  the  face  of 
the  earth ;  I  doubt  not,  therefore,  that  he  will  discharge 
the  duties  of  the  office  with  fidelity." 

The  Grand  Master  then  orders  a  summary  of  the  Ancient 
Charges35  to  be  read  by  the  Grand  Secretary  [or  acting 
Secretary]  to  the  Master  elect. 

85  As  the  curious  reader  may  wish  to  know  the  Ancient  Charges  that 
were  used. on  this  occasion,  we  shall  here  insert  them,  verbatim,  as 
they  are  contained  in  a  MS.  in  the  possession  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity 
in  London,  written  in  the  reign  of  James  the  Second. 

';  *  *  *  *  And  furthermore,  at  diverse  assemblies  have  been  put 
and  ordained  diverse  Crafties.  by  the  best  advise  of  magistrates  and 
fellows.  Tune  unus  ex  senioribus  tenet  librum.  et  illiponent  manum  suam 
super  librum. 

kt  Every  man  that  is  a  Mason  take  good  heed  to  these  charges  (wee 
pray),  that  if  any  man  find  himselfe  guilty  of  any  of  these  charges 
that  he  may  amend  himselfe,  or  principally  for  dread  of  God :  you  that 
be  charged,  take  good  heed  that  you  keepe  all  these  charges  well;  for, 
it  is  a  great  evil  for  a  man  to  forswear  himselfe  upon  a  book. 

"  The  first  charge  is,  That  yee  shall  be  true  men  to  God  and  the 
Holy  Church,  and  to  use  no  error  or  heresie  by  your  understanding  and 
by  wise  men's  teaching.  Allso, 

;'  Secondly,  That  yce  shall  be  true  liege  men  to  the  King  of  England, 
without  treason  or  any  falsehood,  and  that  yee  know  no  treason  or 
treachery,  but  yee  shall  give  knowledge  thereof  to  the  King,  or  to  his 
counsell;  also  yee  shall  be  true  one  to  another,  (that  is  to  say)  every 
Mason  of  the  Craft  that  is  Mason  allowed,  yee  shall  doe  to  him  as  yee 
would  be  done  unto  yourselfe. 

"  Thirdly,  And  yee  shall  keepe  truely  all  the  counsell  that  ought  to 
be  kept  in  the  way  of  Masonhood,  and  all  the  counsell  of  the  Lodge 
or  of  the  chamber. — Allso,  that  yee  shall  be  no  thicfe,  nor  thieves  to 
your  knowledge  free :  that  yee  shall  be  true  to  the  king,  lord,  or 
master  that  yee  serve,  and  truely  to  see  and  worke  for  his  advan- 
tage. 

':  Fourthly,  Yee  shall  call  all  Masons  your  fellows,  or  your  brethren 
and  no  other  names. 

"  Fifthly,  Yee  shall  not  take  your  fellow's  wife  in  villany,  nordeflowei 
his  daughter  or  servant,  nor  put  him  to  no  dis worship. " 

4'  Sixthly,  You  shall  truely  pay  for  your  meat  or  drinke  wheresoever 
yee  goe,  to  table  or  bord.  Allso  yee  shall  doe  no  villany  there,  whereby 
the  Craft  or  science  may  be  slandered. 

"  These  be  the  charges  general  to  every  true  Mason,  both  Masters 
and  Fellows. 

';  Now  will  I  rehearse  other  charges  single  for  Masons  allowed  or 
accepted. 

"  First,  That  no  Mason  take  on  him  no  lord's  worke,  nor  any  other 


OF   MASONRY.  69 

I.  You  agree  to  be  a  good  man  and  true,  and  strictly 
to  obey  the  moral  law. 

II.  You  agree  to  be  a  peaceable  subject,  and  cheer- 
fully to  conform  to  the  laws  of  the  country  in  which  you 
reside. 

III.  You  promise  not  to  be  concerned  in  plots  or  con- 
spiracies against  government,  but  patiently  submit  to  the 
decisions  of  the  supreme  legislature. 

IV.  You  agree  to  pay  a  proper  respect  to  the  civil 
magistrate,  to  work  diligently,  live  creditably,  and  act 
honourably  by  all  men. 

man's,  unless  he  know  himselfe  well  able  to  perform  the  worke,  so 
that  the  Craft  have  no  slander. 

"Secondly,  Allso,  that  no  master  take  worke,  but  that  he  take 
reasonable  pay  for  itt ;  so  that  the  lord  may  be  truely  served,  and  the 
master  to  live  honestly,  and  to  pay  his  fellows  truely.  And  that  no 
master  or  fellow  supplant  others  of  their  worke ;  (that  is  to  say)  that 
:f  he  hath  taken  a  worke,  or  else  stand  master  of  any  worke,  .that  he 
shall  not  put  him  out,  unless  he  be  unable  of  cunning  to  make  an  end 
of  his  worke.  And  no  master  nor  fellow  shall  take  no  apprentice  for 
less  than  seaven  years.  And  that  the  apprentice  be  free  born,  and  or 
limbs  whole  as  a  man  ought  to  be,  and  no  bastard.  And  that  no 
master  or  fellow  take  no  allowance  to  be  made  Mason  without  the 
assent  of  his  fellows,  at  the  least  six  or  seaven. 

"  Thirdly,  That  he  that  be  made  be  able  in  all  degrees  ;  that  is,  free 
born,  of  a  good  kindred,  true,  and  no  bondsman,  and  that  he  have  his 
right  limbs,  as  a  man  ought  to  have. 

"  Fourthly,  That  a  master  take  no  apprentice,  without  he  have  occu- 
pation to  occupy  two  or  three  fellows  at  the  least. 

"  Fifthly,  That  no  master  or  fellow  put  away  any  lord's  worke  to 
taske  that  ought  to  be  journey- worke. 

"  Sixthly,  That  every  master  give  pay  to  his  fellows  and  servants  as 
they  may  deserve,  so  that  he  be  not  defamed  with  false  workeing. 
And  that  none  slander  another  behind  his  backe,  to  make  him  loose 
his  good  name. 

"  Seaventhly,  That  no  fellow  in  the  house  or  abroad  answeare  another 
ungodly  or  reproveably  without  a  cause. 

"Eig"hthly,  That  every  Master  Mason  doe  reverence  his  elder;  and 
that  a  Mason  be  no  common  plaier  at  the  cards,  dice,  or  hazard;  or  at 
any  other  unlawful  plaies,  through  the  which  the  science  and  Craft 
may  be  dishonoured  and  slandered. 

*'  Ninthly,  That  no  fellow  goe  into  the  town  by  night,  except  he 
have  a  fellow  with  him,  who  may  bear  him  record  that  he  was  in  an 
honest  place. 

"  Tenthly,  That  everymaster  and  fellow  s  hall  come  to  the  assemblie, 
if  itt  be  within  fifty  miles  of  him,  if  he  have  any  warning.  And  if  he 
have  trespassed  against  the  Craft,  to  abide  the  award  of  Masters  and 
fellows. 

"  Eleventhly,  That  every  Master  Mason  and  fellow  that  hath  tres- 
passed against  the  Craft  shall  stand  to  the  correction  of  other  masters 


60  ILLUSTRATIONS 

V.  You  agree  to  hold  in  veneration  the  original  rulers 
and  patrons  of  the  Order  of  Masonry,  and  their  regular 
successors,  supreme  and  subordinate,  according  to  their 
stations ;  and  to  submit  to  the  award  and  resolutions  of 
your  brethren  in  general  chapter  convened,  in  every  case 
consistent  with  the  constitutions  of  the  Order. 

VI.  You  agree  to  avoid  private  piques  and  quarrels 
and  to  guard  against  intemperance  and  excess. 

VII.  You  agree  to  be  cautious  in  carriage  and  behavi- 
our, courteous   to  your   brethren,  and   faithful    to  the 
lodge. 

VIII.  You  promise  to  respect  genuine  brethren,  and  to 
discountenance  impostors,  and  all  dissenters,  from  the 
original  plan  of  the  Institution. 

IX.  You  agree  to  promote  the  general  good  of  society, 
to  cultivate   the  social  virtues,   and  to  propagate   the 
knowledge  of  the  Art  of  Masonry,  as  far  as  your  influence 
and  ability  can  extend. 

On  the  Master  elect  signifying  his  assent  to  these 
Charges,  the  Secretary  proceeds  to  read  the  following 
Regulations: 

I.  You  admit  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  man, 
or  body  of  men,  to  make  innovation  in  the  body  of 
Masonry. 

II.  You  promise  to  pay  homage  to  the  Grand  Master 
for   the   time    being,   and   to   his   officers,   when    duly 
installed ;  and  strictly  to  conform  to  every  edict  of  the 

and  fellows  to  make  him  accord ;  and  if  they  cannot  accord,  to  go  to 
the  common  law. 

;'  Twelfthly,  That  a  master  or  fellow  make  not  a  mould-stone,  square, 
nor  rule,  to  no  lowen,  nor  let  no  lowen  worke  within  their  Lodge,  nor 
without,  to  mould  stone. 

c:  Thirteenthly,  That  every  Mason  receive  and  cherish  strange  fellows 
when  they  come  over  the  countrie,  and  set  them  on  worke  if  they  will 
worke,  as  the  manner  is ;  (that  is  to  say)  if  the  Mason  have  any  mould 
stone  in  his  place,  he  shall  give  him  a  mould-stone,  and  sett  him  on 
worke ;  and  if  he  have  none,  the  Mason  shall  refresh  him  with  money 
unto  the  next  Lodge. 

"  Fourteenthly,  That  every  Mason  shall  truely  serve  his  master  for 
his  pay. 

"  Fifteenthly,  That  every  master  shall  truely  make  an  end  of  his 
worke,  taske,  or  journey,  whithersoe  it  be. 

(<  These  be  all  the  charges  and  covenants  that  ought  to  be  read  at 
"the  installment  of  master,  or  making  of  a  Freemason  or  Freemasons. 
The  Almighty  God  of  Jacob,  who  ever  have  you  and  me  in  his  keep- 
ing, bless  us  now  and  ever.  Amen." 


OF    MASONRY.  61 

Grand  Lodge,  or  General  Assembly  of  Masons,  that  is 
not  subversive  of  the  principles  and  ground-work  of 
Masonry. 

III.  You  promise  regularly  to  attend  the  committees 
and  communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  receiving 
proper  notice;  and  to  pay  obedience  to  the  duties  of  the 
Order  on  all  convenient  occasions. 

IV.  You  admit  that  no  new  lodge  can  be  formed  with- 
out  permission  of  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy ;  nor 
any  countenance  given  to  any  irregular  Lodge,  or  to  any 
person  clandestinely  initiated  therein. 

V.  You  admit  that  no  person  can  be  initiated  into 
Masonry  in,  or  admitted  member  of,  the  regular  Lodge, 
without  previous  notice,  and  due  inquiry  into  his  charac- 
ter. 

VI.  You  agree  that  no  visitors36  shall  be  received  into 
the  Lodge  without  passing  under  due  examination,  and 
producing  proper  vouchers  of  a  regular  initiation. 

These  are  the  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons. 

The  Grand  Master  then  addresses  the  Master  Elect  in 
the  following  manner : — "  Do  you  submit  to  those  Charges, 
and  promise  to  support  those  Regulations  as  Masters 
have  done  in  all  ages  before  you?" 

Having  signified  his  cordial  submission,  the  Grand 
Master  thus  salutes  him : — 

"  Brother  A.B.,  in  consequence  of  your  cheerful  con- 

88  At  a  Quarterly  Communication,  held  at  Freemasons'  Hall,  on 
Wednesday,  June  2d,  1819,  "  A  Report  from  the  Board  of  General 
Purposes  was  read ;  in  which  it  was  stated,  that  a  complaint  had 
been  preferred  against  a  lodge  in  London,  for  having  refused  Admis- 
sion to  some  Brethren  who  were  well  known  to  them,  alleging  that, 
as  the  Lodge  was  about  to  initiate  a  Candidate,  no  visitor  could  be 
admitted  until  that  ceremony  was  concluded.  The  several  parties 
having  attended  the  Board,  it  appeared  that  the  officers  of  the  Lodge 
complained  against,  had  acted  under  an  erroneous  opinion  of  the  gene- 
ral laws,  and  not  from  any  intention  to  infringe  them  or  the  estab- 
lished custom  of  the  Craft,  and  they  assured  the  Board  of  their  anxiety 
at  all  times  to  conform  themselves  to  every  regulation  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  that  they  should  not  again  fall  into  a  similar  error. 
Whereupon,  the  Board  RESOLVED,  That  it  is  the  undoubted  right  of 
every  Mason,  who  is  well  known,  or  properly  vouched,  to  visit  any 
Lodge  during  the  time  it  is  opened  for  general  Masonic  business, 
observing  the  proper  forms  to  be  attended  to  on  such  occasions,  and 
so  that  the  Master  may  not  be  interrupted  in  the  performance  of  hii 
duty." — EDITOR. 


62  '     ILLUSTRATIONS 

formity  to  the  Charges  and  Kegulations  of  the  Order,  I 
approve  of  you  as  Master  of  the  Lodge ;  not  doubting  of 
your  care,  skill,  and  capacity." 

The  new  Master  is  then  conducted  to  an  adjacent 
room,  where  he  is  regularly  installed,37  and  bound  to  his 
trust  in  ancient  form,  in  the  presence  of  at  least  three 
installed  Masters. 

On  his  return  to  the  Lodge,  the  new  Master  is  con- 
ducted by  the  [Grand]  Stewards  to  the  left  hand  of  the 
Grand  Master,  where  he  is  invested  with  the  badge  of  his 
office,  and  the  warrant  of  constitution  is  delivered  over 
to  him  in  form ;  after  which  the  Sacred  Law,  with  the 
square,  and  compasses,  the  constitutions,  the  minute- 
book,  the  rule  and  line,  the  trowel,  the  chisel,  the  mal- 
let, the  movable  and  immovable  jewels,  and  all  the 
insignia  of  his  different  Officers,  are  separately  presented 
to  him,  with  suitable  charges  to  each.38  He  is  then 

87  This  part  of  the  ceremony  can  only  be  orally  communicated ;  nor 
can  any  but  installed  Masters  be  present. — EDITOR. 

88  The  same  ceremony  and  charges  attend  every  succeeding  instal- 
lation. 

For  the  accommodation  of  Brethren,  whose  distance  from  the 
metropolis  may  deprive  them  of  gaining  the  necessary  instruction  in 
this  important  rite,  we  shall  here  insert  a  few  moral  observations  on 
the  instruments  of  Masonry,  which  are  usually  presented  to  the 
Master  of  the  Lodge,  at  installation. 

The  various  implements  of  the  profession,  emblematical  of  our  con- 
duct in  life,  are  upon  this  occasion  carefully  enumerated. 

"The  Rule  directs,  that  we  should  punctually  observe  our  duty; 
press  forward  in  the  path  of  virtue,  and,  neither  inclining  to  the  right 
nor  to  the  left,  in  all  our  actions,  have  Eternity  in  view. 

"  The  Line  teaches  the  criterion  of  moral  rectitude,  to  avoid  dissimu- 
lation in  conversation  and  action,  and  to  direct  our  steps  in  the  path 
which  leads  to  immortality. 

"  The  Trowel  teaches,  that  nothing  can  be  united  without  proper 
cement,  and  that  the  perfection  of  the  building  must  depend  on  the 
suitable  disposition  of  the  cement ;  so  Charity,  the  bond  of  perfection 
and  social  union,  must  link  separate  minds  and  separate  interests  ; 
that,  like  the  radii  of  a  circle,  which  extend  from  the  centre  to  every 
part  of  the  circumference,  the  principle  of  universal  benevolence  may 
be  diffused  to  every  member  of  the  community. 

"  The  Chisel  demonstrates  the  advantages  of  discipline  and  educa- 
tion. The  mind,  like  the  diamond,  in  its  original  state,  is  unpolished; 
but  as  the  effects  of  the  chisel  on  the  external  coat  soon  present  to 
view  the  latent  beauties  of  the  diamond,  so  education  discovers  the 
latent  virtues  of  the  mind,  and  draws  them  forth  to  range  the  large 
field  of  matter  and  space,  in  order  to  display  the  summit  of  human 
knowledge,  our  duty  to  God  and  to  man. 

"  The  Plumb  admonishes  to  walk  upright  in  our  station,  to  hold  the 


OP    MASONRY.  63 

chaired  amid  the  acclamations  of  the  Brethren ;  after 
which  he  returns  his  becoming  acknowledgments  to  the 
Grand  Master,  and  the  acting  officers,  in  order.  The 
members  of  the  new  Lodge  then  advance  in  procession, 
pay  due  homage  to  the  new  Master,39  and  signify  their 

scale  of  justice  in  equal  poise,  to  observe  the  just  medium  between 
intemperance  and  pleasure,  and  to  make  our  passions  and  prejudices 
coincide  with  the  line  of  our  duty. 

k'  The  Level  demonstrates,  that  we  are  descended  from  the  same 
stock,  partake  of  the  same  nature,  and  share  the  same  hope ;  and  that, 
though  distinctions  among  men  are  necessary  to  preserve  subordina- 
tion, yet  no  eminence  of  station  can  make  us  forget  that  we  aro 
brethren,  and  that  he  who  is  placed  on  the  lowest  spoke  of  Fortune's 
wheel  may  be  entitled  to  our  regard ;  because  a  time  will  come,  and 
the  wisest  knows  not  how  soon,  when  all  distinctions,  but  that  of 
goodness,  shall  cease ;  and  Death^  the  grand  leveller  of  human  great- 
ness, reduce  us  to  the  same  state. 

"  The  Square  teaches  us  to  regulate  our  actions  by  rule  and  line, 
and  to  harmonize  our  conduct  by  the  principles  of  morality  and 
virtue. 

"The  Compasses  teach  us  to  limit  our  duty  in  every  station; 
that,  rising  to  eminence  by  merit,  we  may  live  respected,  and  die 
regretted. 

"  The  Mallet  teaches  us  to  lop  off  excrescences,  and  smooth  sur- 
faces ;  or,  in  other  words,  to  correct  irregularities,  and  reduce  man  to 
a  proper  level ;  so  that,  by  quiet  deportment,  he  may,  in  the  school  or 
discipline,  learn  to  be  content.  What  the  Mallet  is  to  the  workman, 
enlightened  reason  is  to  the  passions ;  it  curbs  ambition,  depresses 
envy,  moderates  anger,  and  encourages  good  dispositions;  whence 
arises  that  comely  order. 

Which  nothing  earthly  gives,  or  can  destroy  ; 
The  soul's  calm  sunshine,  aud  the  heartfelt  joy." 

89  •''  No  Brother  shall  continue  in  the  office  of  Master  for  more  than 
two  years  iu  succession,  unless  by  a  dispensation,  which  may  be  granted 
by  the  Grand  Master,  or  the  provincial  Grand  Master,  in  cases  of  real 
necessity  j  but  he  maybe  again  elected  after  he  has  been  out  of  that  office 
one  year."  (CONST.,  Art.  4.  p.  78.)  The  operation  of  this  law  was 
expounded  at  a  quarterly  communication,  March  5.  1817,  when,  "  A 
report  from  the  Board  of  General  Purposes  was  read,  stating,  that  a 
memorial  had  been  presented  to  the  Board,  by  two  of  the  Past-masters 
of  the  Lodge,  No.  82,  representing  that  the  said  Lodge  had,  in  Novem- 
ber last,  re-elected  a  brother  to  fill  the  chair  as  Master,  for  the  current 
year,  who  had  been  in  that  office,  during  the  years  1815  and  1816,  and 
which  re-election  the  memorialists  considered  to  be  contrary  to  the 
law  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  Article  4,  p.  78,  of  the  book  of  Constitutions. 
They,  therefore,  submitted  that  such  re-election  ought  to  be  declared 
void,  and  the  Lodge  be  directed  to  proceed  to  the  election  of  another 
Master.  That  the  Board  having  heard  thejirguments  of  the  several 
parties,  after  much  deliberation,  Resolved,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the 
Board,  the  said  election  was  legal  under  the  law  abwe  quoted.  Ihe 
Board,  however,  were  of  opinion,  that  the  memorialists  were  prompted 


64  ILLUSTRATIONS 

subjection  and  obedience  by  the  usual  salutations  in  the 
three  degrees. 

This  ceremony  being  concluded,  the  new  Master  enters 
immediately  on  the  duties  of  his  office,  by  appointing 
his  wardens,  who  are  separately  conducted  to  the  pedestal, 
presented  to  the  Grand  Master,  and  installed40  by  the 
Grand  Wardens;  after  which  he41  proceeds  to  invest 
them  with  their  badges  of  office  in  the  following 
manner : — 

"Brother  C. D.,  I  appoint  you  Senior  Warden  of  the 
Lodge :  and  invest  you  with  the  ensign  of  office.42  Your 
regular  attendance  on  our  stated  meetings  is  essentially 
necessary  ;  as,  in  my  absence,  you  are  to  rule  the  Lodge ; 
and,  in  my  presence,  to  assist  me  in  the  government  of 
it.  I  firmly  rely  on  your  knowledge  of  the  Art,  and 
attachment  to  the  Lodge,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  the  office." 

"  Brother  E.  F.,  I  appoint  you  Junior  Warden  of  the 
Lodge;  and  invest  you  .with  the  badge  of  office.  To 
you  I  entrust  the  examination  of  visitors,  and  the  intro- 
duction of  candidates.  Your  regular  and  punctual 
attendance  is  particularly  requested ;  and  I  have  no 
doubt  that  you  will  faithfully  execute  every  duty  which 
you  owe  to  your  present  appointment." 

The  new  Master  then  addresses  the  Wardens  together : 

"Brother  Wardens,  you  are  both  too  expert  in  the 
principles  of  Masonry,  to  require  much  information  as  to 
the  duties  of  your  respective  offices:  suffice  it  to  men- 
tion, that  what  you  have  seen  praiseworthy  in  others,  it 
is  expected  you  will  carefully  imitate  :  and  what  in  them 
may  to  you  have  appeared  defective,  you  will  in  your- 
selves amend.  Good  order  and  regularity  you  must 

to  present  their  memorial,  by  a  desire  only  of  obtaining  a  decision  on 
so  material  a  question,  and  in  regard  to  which  a  diversity  of  opinions 
had  prevailed  in  the  Craft." — EDITOR. 

40  The  Master  and  Wardens  are  installed  as  the  representatives  of 
all  the  Master-masons  who  are  absent. 

1  When  the  Grand  Master  and  his  Officers  attend  to  constitute  a 
new  Lodge,  the  D.G.M.  usually  invests  the  Master,  the  Grand 
Wardens  invest  the  Wardens,  the  Grand  Treasurer  and  Grand  Se- 
cretary invest  the  Treasurer  and  Secretary,  and  the  Grand  Stewards 
the  Stewards. 

4*  Here  specify  its  moral  excellence. 


OF    MASONRY.  65 

endeavour  to  promote ;  and,  by  a  due  regard  to  the  laws 
in  your  own  conduct,  enforce  obedience  to  them  in  the 
conduct  of  others." 

The  Wardens  retiring  to  their  seats,  the  Treasurer43  is 
next  invested.  The  Secretary  is  then  called  to  the 
pedestal,  and  invested  with  the  jewel  of  his  office  ;  upon 
which  the  new  Master  thus  addresses  him  : — 

"  I  appoint  you,  Brother  G.  H.,  Secretary  of  the  Lodge. 
It  is  your  province  to  record  the  minutes,  and  issue  out 
the  summonses  for  the  regular  meetings.  Your  good 
inclinations  to  Masonry  and  the  Lodge  will,  no  doubt, 
induce  you  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  with 
fidelity ;  and  by  so  doing  you  will  merit  the  esteem  and 
applause  of  your  brethren." 

The  Deacons44  are  then  named  and  invested ;  on  which 
the  Master  addresses  them  as  follows: — 

"Brothers  I.  K.  and  L.  M.,  I  appoint  you  Deacons  of 
the  Lodge.  It  is  your  province  to  attend  on  the  Master, 
and  to  assist  the  Wardens  in  the  active  duties  of  the 
Lodge ;  such  as  in  the  reception  of  candidates  into  the 
different  Degrees,  and  in  the  immediate  practice  of  our 
rites.  Those  columns,45  the  badges  of  your  office,  I 
entrust  to  your  care,  not  doubting  your  vigilance  and 
attention." 

The  next  officer  appointed  is,  the  Inner  Guard,  whom 
the  new  Master  addresses  $hus : — 

"Brother  N.,  I  appoint  you  inner  guard  of  the  Lodge. 
Yo'ur  duty  is,  to  admit  Masons  on  proof,  to  receive 
candidates  in  due  form,  and  to  obey  the  commands  of  the 
Junior  Warden." 

The  Stewards46  are  next  called  up,  and  invested;  upon 
which  the  following  charge  is  delivered  to  them  by  the 
new  Master : — 

"Brothers  0.  P.  and  Q.  R.,  I  appoint  you  Stewards  of 
the  Lodge.  The  duties  of  your  office  are,  to  introduce 

43  This  officer  is  not  appointed  by  the  Master,  but  elected  by  the 
Lodge. 

44  The  Deacons   are  the  acting  Deputies  of  the  Wardens,  ana 
Kepresentatives  of  all  the  absent  Craftsmen. 

45  When  the  work  of  Masonry  in  the  Lodge  is  carrying  on,  the 
oolumn  of  the  Senior  Deacon  is  raised ;  when  the  lodge  is  at  refresh- 
ment the  column  of  the  Junior  Deacon  is  raised. 

46  The  Stewards  are  assistants  to  the  Deacons,  and  the  representa- 
tives of  all  the  absent  Entered  Apprentices. 


66  ILLUSTRATIONS 

visitors,  and  see  that  they  are  properly  accommodated ;  to 
collect  subscriptions  and  other  fees,  and  keep  an  exact 
account  of  the  lodge  expenses.  Your  regular  and  early 
attendance  will  afford  the  best  proof  of  your  zeal  and 
attachment." 

The  new  Master  then  appoints  the  Tyler,  and  delivers 
over  to  him  the  instrument  of  his  office,  with  a  short 
charge  on  the  occasion;  after  which  he  addresses  the 
members  of  the  Lodge  as  follows : — 

"BRETHREN, 

"Such is  the  nature  of  our  constitution,  that  as  some 
must  of  necessity  rule  and  teach,  so  others  must  of  course 
learn  to  submit  and  obey.  Humility,  in  both,  is  an 
essential  duty.  The  Brethren  whom  I  have  appointed 
to  assist  me  in  the  government  of  the  Lodge,,  are  too 
well  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  Masonry,  and  the 
rules  of  good  manners,  to  extend  the  power  with  which 
they  are  entrusted ;  and  you  are  too  sensible  of  the  pro- 
priety of  their  appointment,  and  of  too  generous  dispo- 
sitions, to  envy  their  preferment.  From  the  knowledge 
I  have  of  both  Officers  and  Members,  I  trust  that  we 
shall  have  but  one  aim — to  please  each  other,  and  unite 
in  the  great  design  of  communicating  happiness." 

The  Grand  Master  gives  the  Brethren  joy  of  their 
Officers,  recommends  harmony,  and  expresses  a  wish  that 
the  only  contention  in  the  Lodge  may  be,  a  generous 
emulation  to  vie  in  cultivating  the  royal  Art,  and  the 
moral  virtues.  The  Lodge  then  joins  in  the  general 
salute,  and  the  newly-installed  Master  returns  thanks  to 
the  Grand  Master  for  the  honour  of  the  Constitution. 

The  Grand  Secretary  proclaims  the  new  Lodge  three 
times ;  with  the  honours  of  Masonry,  and  a  flourish  of 
horns,  each  time :  after  which  the  Grand  Master  orders 
the  Lodge  to  be  registered  in  the  Grand  Lodge  books, 
and  the  Grand  Secretary  to  notify  the  same  to  the 
regular  Lodges. 

A  song  with  a  chorus,  accompanied  by  the  music,  con- 
cludes the  ceremony  of  Constitution,  and  the  Lodge  is 
closed  with  the  usual  solemnities  in  the  three  Degrees  by 
the  Grand  Master  and  his  Officers ;  after  which  the  pro- 
cession is  resumed,  and  returns  to  the  apartment  whence 
it  set  out. 


OF    MASONRY.  67 

This  is  the  usual  ceremony  at  the  Constitution  of  a 
new  Lodge,  which  the  Grand  Master  may  abridge,  or 
extend  at  pleasure;  but  the  material  points  are  on  no 
account  to  be  omitted. 


The  Ceremony  observed  at  laying  the  Foundation- Stones  of 
Public  Structures,  <^.,  by  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master. 

This  ceremony  is  conducted  by  the  Grand  Master  and 
his  Officers,  assisted  by  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
only.  No  private  Mason,  or  inferior  officer  of  any  Lodge, 
can  be  admitted  to  join  in  the  ceremony.  Provincial 
Grand  Masters  are  authorized  to  execute  this  duty  in 
their  separate  provinces,  when  they  are  accompanied  by 
their  officers,  and  the  Master  and  Wardens  of  the 
•regular  Lodges  under  their  jurisdiction ;  but  the  Chief 
Magistrate  and  civil  officers  of  the  place  where  the 
building  is  to  be  erected  must  be  invited  to  attend  on 
the  occasion.  The  ceremony  is  thus  conducted : 

The  Grand  Lodge  having  been  opened  at  a  convenient 
place,  and  the  necessary  directions  and  instructions  given, 
it  is  adjourned.  The  Brethren  being  in  their  proper 
clothing  and  jewels,  and  wearing  white  gloves,  the  pro- 
cession move  sin  the  following  order,  viz. : 

Two  Grand  Tylers,  with  drawn  swords; 

Music ; 

Brethren,  not  members  of  any  Lodge,  two  and  two ; 
The  Lodges,  according  to  their  numbers ; 

Juniors  going  first ; 

Members  of  Grand  Stewards'  Lodge; 

Officers  of  Grand  Stewards'  Lodge ; 

Architect  or  Builder,  with  the  Mallet; 

Grand  Organist ; 

Grand  Superintendent  of  Works,  with  the  plan ; 
Grand  Director  of  Ceremonies ; 

Grand  Deacons; 
Grand  Secretary,  with  Book  of  Constitutions  on  a  cushion  t 

Grand  Registrar  with  his  bag ; 
Grand  Treasurer,  with  his  staff; 

Grand  Chaplain; 

Past  Grand  Wardens ; 

Past  Provincial  Grand  Masters ; 

Provincial  Grand  Masters; 
Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters ; 


68  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Visitors  of  Distinction ; 
Junior  Grand  Warden,  with  Plumb ; 

!    Standard  of  *e  Grand  Lodge;   j 

Senior  Grand  Warden,  with  Level ; 

Steward      ?    Volume  of  the  Sacred  Law,  Square,    J      Steward 

with  wand.   $    and  Compasses,  on  a  velvet  cushion ;   J    with  wand 

Deputy  Grand  Master,  with  Square ; 

with".   [Standard  of  the  Grand  Master;  \  ,*™«L 

Grand  Sword  Bearer; 
MOST  WORSHIPFUL  GRAND  MASTER; 

Two  Stewards  with  wands ; 
Grand  Tyler,  with  drawn  sword.47 

Having  arrived  within  a  proper  distance  of  the  spot, 
the  procession  halts,  the  Brethren  open  to  the  right  and 
left,  so  as  to  leave  room  for  the  Grand  Master  to  pass  up 
the  centre ;  he  being  preceded  by  his  Standard  and  Sword 
Bearer,  the  Grand  Officers  and  Brethren  following  in 
succession  from  the  rear,  so  as  to  invert  the  order  ot 
the  procession.  The  Grand  Master  having  arrived  at  his 
station,  on  a  platform,  an  ode  is  sung  or  music  played  (as 
previously  arranged).  The  stone  being  prepared,  and 
the  plate  with  the  proper  inscription,  the  upper  part  of 
the  stone  is  raised  by  an  engine;  the  Grand  Chaplain 

47  These  processions  are  conducted  with  much  greater  splendour  on 
the  Continent ;  although  ft  is  much  to  be  doubted  whether  an  aug- 
mented degree  of  pomp  be  more  consistent  with  real  dignity  than 
the  simple  ceremonies  which  the  wisdom  of  our  governors  has  pre- 
scribed and  sanctioned  by  the  efficacy  of  their  own  example.  The 
superior  Officers  of  foreign  Lodges  wear  splendid  robes  of  silk  and 
velvet,  of  the  three  pure  colours,  decorated  with  gold  and  precious 
stones.  I  copy  from  a  ritual  of  Helvetian  ceremonies  in  my  posses- 
sion, some  other  attendant  circumstances,  which  are  calculated  to 
swell  out  the  gorgeous  magnificence  of  a  Masonic  procession.  "  The 
Great  Master  walks  under  a  purple,  blue,  and  crimson  canopy,  with 
fine  linen  and  bells.  The  staves  of  his  canopy  are  four  or  eight, 
which  are  borne  by  Master  Masons  of  the  oldest  Lodge  present.  On 
the  right  hand  of  the  Great  Master  is  a  sword-bearer,  and  on  his  left 
hand  is  a  sword-bearer.  Before  the  Great  Master  is  a  standard,  and 
behind  him  is  a  standard.  All  Masters  of  Lodges  present  are  under 
blue  canopies,  each  borne  by  four  Master  Masons  of  his  own  com- 
pany. The  canopies  are  six  feet  long,  and  three  feet  broad:  the 
staves  are  six  feet  long ;  the  frame- work  is  of  cedar,  or  pine,  or  box- 
wood ;  the  covering  hangs  down  not  less  than  three  feet  on  each  side, 
and  in  the  front  likewise.  In  the  middle  of  the  procession  is  carried 
the  Ark,  covered  over  with  the  veil  of  blue,  purple,  and  crimson,  by 
four  of  the  oldest  Masons  present." — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  69 

repeats  a  prayer ;  and  the  Grand  Treasurer  having,  by 
the  Grand  Master's  command,  deposited  on  the  plate 
various  coins  of  the  present  reign,  the  cement  is  laid  on. 
the  lower  stone,  and  the  upper  one  is  laid  down  slowly, 
solemn  music  playing.  Being  properly  placed,  the  Grand 
Master  descends  to  the  stone,  proves  that  it  is  properly 
adjusted,  by  the  plumb-rule,  level,  and  square,  which  are 
successively  delivered  to  him  by  the  Junior  Grand  War- 
den, Senior  Grand  Warden,  and  Deputy  Grand  Master ; 
after  which  the  Architect  or  Builder  delivers  to  him  the 
mallet,  with  which  the  Grand  Master  gives  three  knocks. 
The  Grand  Master  then  delivers  to  the  Architect  or 
Builder  the  several  implements  for  his  use.  The  plan 
and  elevation  of  the  building  are  presented  by  the  Grand 
Superintendent  of  the  works  to  the  Grand  Master,  for  his 
inspection;  and,  having  approved  them,  he  gives  them 
to  the  Architect  for  his  guidance.  The  Grand  Master 
re-ascends  the  platform,  music  playing.  An  oration  suita- 
ble to  the  occasion  is  delivered.  Some  money  for  the 
workmen  is  placed  on  the  stone  by  the  Grand  Treasurer.48 
The  procession  then  returns  to  the  place  from  which 
it  set  out,  and  the  Lodge  is  closed. 


The  Ceremony  observed  at  the  Dedication  of  Masons1  Halls. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  the  celebration  of  the  cere- 
mony of  Dedication,  the  Grand  Master  and  his  Officers, 
accompanied  by  all  the  Brethren  who  are  members  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  meet  in  a  convenient  room  adjoining 
to  the  place  where  the  ceremony  is  to  be  performed;  and 
the  Grand  Lodge  is  opened,  in  ample  form,  in  all  the 
Degrees.  The  order  of  procession  being  read  by  the 
Grand  Secretary,  and  a  general  charge  respecting  propri- 
ety of  behaviour  given  by  the  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
the  lodge  is  adjourned,  and  the  procession  formed  as 

follows : — 

Two  Tylers,  with  drawn  swords ; 

Music ; 
Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  two  and  two ; 

<8  If  the  Building  be  for  a  charitable  institution,  a  voluntary  subscrip- 
tion is  made  in  aid  of  its  funds. 


70  ILLUSTRATIONS 

A  Tyler  in  his  uniform; 
Past  Grand  Stewards ; 

Grand  Tyler ; 

Present  Grand  Stewards,  with  white  rods ; 

Secretary  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge; 

Wardens  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge ; 

Master  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge  ; 

Choristers ; 

One  Brother  carrying  a  gold  pitcher,  containing  corn ;  ^ 
Two  Brethren,  with  silver  pitchers,  containing  wine  and  oil ; 
Four  Tylers  carrying  the  Lodge,  covered  with  white  satin ; 

Architect ; 

Grand  Sword-bearer,  with  sword  of  state ; 
Grand  Secretary,  with  his  bag ; 
Grand  Treasurer,  with  his  staff; 

Bible,49  Square,  and  Compasses,  on  a  crimson  velvet  cushion, 

carried  by  the  Master  of  a  Lodge,  who  is 

supported  by  two  Stewards ; 

Grand  Chaplain ; 
Provincial  Grand  Masters ; 

Past  Grand  Wardens ; 
Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters; 

Past  Grand  Masters ; 

Chief  Magistrate  and  Civil  Officers  of  the  place ; 

Two  large  lights; 

Grand  Wardens ; 

One  large  light ; 

Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Constitutions,  carried  by  the  Master  of  the  oldest  Lodge ; 

GRAND  MASTER; 
Two  Stewards  close  the  procession. 

The  ladies  are  then  introduced,  and  the  musicians  repair 
to  their  station.  On  the  procession  reaching  the  Grand 
Master's  chair,  the  Grand  Officers  are  separately  proclaim- 
ed according  to  rank,  as  they  arrive  at  that  station ;  and 
on  the  Grand  Master's  being  proclaimed,  the  music  strikes 
up,  and  continues  during  the  procession  three  times  round 
the  Hall.  The  Lodge  is  then  placed  in  the  centre,  on  a 
crimson  velvet  couch  j50  and  the  Grand  Master  having 

4  9  Where  the  Bible  is  mentioned,  it  applies  to  whatever  is  considered 
to  be  the  law  of  God. 

50  The  Helvetian  ritual,  already  referred  to,  contains  some  good 
remarks  relative  to  the  furniture  of  a  Lodge,  which  may  be  usefully 
inserted  in  this  place.  "A  good  lodge  may  be  well  known  by  its 
ornaments ;  in  many  Lodges  all  sorts  of  decorations  are  heaped  toge- 
ther, without  the  slightest  attention  to  propriety.  There  should  be 
no  picture,  statue,  nor  emblem  of  heathen  deities ;  no  bust,  picture,  or 
statue  of  the  heathen  philosophers.  The  proper  images  or  emblems 
are  to  bo  taken  from  the  Bible,  and  the  Bible  only ;  as  it  contains  the 


or  THC 
DIVERSITY   . 

OF    MASONRY.  ,'        71 


3(TY  I 


taken  the  chair,  under  a  canopy  of  state,  the  Grand  Offi- 
cers, and  the  Master  and  Wardens  of  the  Lodges,  repair 
to  the  places  which  have  been  previously  prepared  for 
their  reception :  the  three  great  lights,  and  the  gold  and 
silver  pitchers,  with  the  corn,  wine,  and  oil,  are  placed 
on  the  Lodge,  at  the  head  of  which  stands  the  pedestal, 
on  which  is  laid  a  crimson  velvet  cushion,  with  the  Sacred 
Law,  open,  the  Square  and  Compasses  put  thereon,  and 
the  Constitution  Roll.  An  anthem  is  then  sung,  and  an 
exordium  on  Masonry  delivered :  after  which,  the  Archi- 
tect, addressing  the  Grand  Master,  returns  thanks  for 
the  honour  conferred  on  him,  and  surrenders  up  the 
implements  which  had  been  entrusted  to  his  care  at  laying 
the  Foundation-Stone.  The  Grand  Master  expresses  his 
approbation  of  the  Architect's  conduct ;  an  ode  in  honour 
of  Masonry  is  sung,  accompanied  by  the  band ;  and  the 
ladies  retire,  as  do  also  such  of  the  musicians  as  are  not 
Masons. 

The  Lodge  is  then  tiled,  and  the  business  of  Masonry 
resumed.  The  Grand  Secretary  informs  the  Grand  Master, 
that  it  is  the  design  of  the  Fraternity  to  have  the  Hall 
dedicated  to  Masonry;  he  then  orders  the  Grand  Officers 
to  assist  in  the  ceremony ;  during  which  the  organ  con- 
tinues playing  solemn  music,  excepting  only  at  the  inter- 
authentic  records  of  ancient  Masonry.  Paintings  of  figures,  to  repre- 
sent the  virtues  or  properties  of  the  mind,  such  as  Charity,  &c.,  are 
in  bad  taste.  The  decorations  should  be  masonic  emblems,  intersect- 
ing triangles,  f\ ,  square  and  compass,  &c.  These,  if  properly  man- 
aged, can  be  made  highly  ornamental.  A  picture  of  Solomon  or  Moses 
would  be  appropriate.  A  marble  slab,  containing  the  names  of  the 
founders  of  the  Lodge,  and  the  date,  should  be  let  into  the  north  wall. 
Window-curtains,  as  in  rooms,  there  are*  none;  but  one  great  curtain, 
very  thick,  draws  across  all  the  windows,  along  a  brass  rod,  on  brass 
rings.  There  is  no  valance,  or  fringe,  or  other  ornament.  The 
colour  of  the  curtain  is  purple,  crimson,  and  blue,  in  alternate  stripes ; 
each  stripe  the  common  breadth  of  moreen,  or  other  stuff  furniture. 
The  curtain  is  made  of  woollen,  and  not  of  linen.  Silk  may  be  used, 
if  worsted  is  not  liked,  but  no  cotton  or  linen :  the  lining  is  black. 
The  Master's  throne  is  on  three  steps.  Behind  it  should  be  a  screen, 
three  sides  of  *a  square,  and  higher  than  his  head  when  seated.  This 
screen  should  be  painted  by  a  cunning  Mason,  with  a  death's  head, 
intersecting  triangles  and  fl,  in  white,  as  the  ground  of  the  screen  is 
black,  or  a  dark  purple.  Facing  the  Master's  throne  is  an  organ,  or 
a  gallery  for  singers  and  musicians  who  are  brothers ;  and  behind  the 
throne,  at  the  end  of  the  Lodge,  and  high  up  in  the  ceiling,  should  be 
a  well-toned  bell,  or  Indian  gong." — EDITOR. 


72  ILLUSTRATIONS 

vals  of  Dedication.  The  Lodge  being  uncovered,  the 
first  procession  is  made  round  it,  and  the  Grand  Master 
having  reached  the  East,  the  organ  is  silent,  and  he  pro- 
claims the  Hall  duly  dedicated  to  MASONRY,  IN  THE  NAME 

OF  THE  GREAT  JEHOVAH,  TO  WHOM  BE  ALL  GLORY  AM) 

HONOUR  ;  upon  which  the  Chaplain  strews  corn  over  the 
Lodge.  The  organ  plays,  and  the  second  procession  is 
made  round  the  Lodge;  when,  on  the  Grand  Master's 
arrival  at  the  East,  the  organ  is  silent,  and  he  declares 
the  Hall  dedicated,  as  before,  to  VIRTUE  ;  on  which  the 
Chaplain  sprinkles  wine  on  the  Lodge.  The  organ 
plays,  and  the  third  procession  is  made  round  the  Lodge; 
when,  the  Grand  Master  having  reached  the  East,  and  the 
music  being  silent,  the  Hall  is  dedicated  to  UNIVERSAL 
BENEVOLENCE  ;  upon  which  the  Chaplain  dips  his  fingers 
in  the  oil,  and  sprinkles  it  over  the  Lodge;  and  at  each 
period  of  Dedication  the  grand  honours  are  given.  A 
solemn  invocation  is  then  made,  and  an  anthem  sung . 
after  which,  the  Lodge  being  covered,  the  Grand  Master 
retires  to  his  chair,  and  the  business  of  Masonry  is  ad- 
journed. 

The  ladies  are  again  introduced ;  an  ode  for  the  occa- 
sion is  performed  ;  and  an  oration  delivered  by  the  Grand 
Chaplain,  which  is  succeeded  by  an  anthem.  Donations 
for  the  charity  are  then  collected,  and  the  grand  proces- 
sion is  resumed.  After  marching  three  times  round  the 
Hall,  preceded  by  the  Tylers  carrying  the  Lodge  as  at 
entrance,  and  the  music  continuing  to  play  a  grand  piece, 
the  Brethren  return  to  the  place  whence  they  set  out; 
where,  the  laws  of  the  Order  being  rehearsed,  the  Grand 
Lodge  is  closed  in  ample  form  in  all  the  Degrees. 


The    Ceremony  observed  at  Funerals,  according  to  ancient 
Custom;  with  the  Service  iiscd  on  that  Occasion. 

No  Mason  can  be  interred  with  the  formalities  of  the 
Order,  unless  it  be  at  his  own  special  request,  communi- 
cated to  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  of  which  he  died  a 
Member ;  foreigners  and  sojourners  excepted  ;  nor  unless 
he  has  been  advanced  to  the  Third  Degree  of  Masonry, 
from  which  restriction  there  can  be  no  exception.  Fellow- 


OF    MASONRY.  73 

crafts,  or  apprentices,  are  not  entitled  to  the  funeral 
obsequies. 

The  Master  of  the  Lodge  having  received  notice  of  a 
Master-mason's  death,  and  of  his  request  to  be  interred 
with  the  ceremonies  of  the  Order,51  he  fixes  the  day  and 

51  By  an  express  law  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  it  is  enacted,  '  That  no 
regular  Mason  do  attend  any  funeral,  or  other  public*  procession, 
clothed  with  the  badges  and  ensigns  of  the  Order,  unless  a  dispensa- 
tion for  that  purpose  has  been  obtained  from  the  Grand  Master,  or  his 
deputy ;  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  the  Society,  and  of  being  deprived  of  the  benefit  of  the  general  fund 
of  charity,  should  he  be  reduced  to  want." 

Dispensations  for  public  processions  are  seldom  granted  but  upon 
very  particular  occasions ;  it  cannot,  therefore,  be  thought  that  these 
will  be  very  frequent,  or  that  regular  Masons  will  be  induced  to  infringe 
an  established  law  by  attending  those  which  are  not  properly  author- 
ized. Many  public  parades  under  this  character  have  been  made  of 
late  years;  but  these  have  not  received  the  sanction  of  the  Grand 
Master,  or  the  countenance  of  any  regular  Mason  conversant  with  the 
laws  of  the  Society.  Of  this  the  Public  may  be  convinced,  when  they 
advert  to  the  circumstance,  that  the  reputation  of  the  whole  Fraternity 
would  be  at  risk  by  irregularity  on  such  an  occasion.  It  cannot  be 
imagined,  that  the  Grand  Master,  who  is  generally  of  Noble  or  Royal 
Birth,  would  either  so  far  degrade  the  dignity  of  his  office,  or  the 
character  of  the  Society  at  large,  as  to  grant  a  dispensation  for  a  public 
procession  upon  so  trifling  an  occasion  as  a  private  benefit  at  a  play- 
house, tea-garden,  or  other  place  of  public  resort ;  where  neither  the 
interest  of  the  Fraternity,  nor  the  general  good,  can  be  concerned ; 
and  which,  though  it  may  be  of  some  private  advantage,  can  never 
redound  to  the  credit  of  Masonry,  or  the  honour  of  its  patrons. 

The  above  law  was  planned  to  put  a  stop  to  mixed  and  irregular 
conventions  of  Masons,  aad  to  prevent  them  from  exposing  to  derision 
the  insignia  of  the  Order,  by  parading  through  the  streets  on  unim- 
portant occasions ;  it  was  not  intended,  however,  to  restrict  the  privi- 
leges of  any  regular  Lodge,  or  to  encroach  on  the  legal  prerogative 
of  any  installed  Master.  By  the  universal  practice  of  Masons,  every 
regular  Lodge  is  authorized  by  the  Constitution  to  act  on  such  occa- 
sions, when  limited  to  its  own  members,  if  the  Society  at  large  be  not 
dishonoured;  and  every  installed  Master  is  sufficiently  empowered 
by  the  Constitution,  without  any  other  authority,  to  convene  and 
govern  his  own  lodge  on  any  emergency,  at  the  funeral  of  its  own 
members,  or  on  any  occasion  in  which  the  honour  of  the  Society  is 
concerned ;  he  being  always  amenable  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  miscon- 
duct. But  when  Brethren  from  other  Lodges  are  convened,  who  are 
not  subject  to  his  control,  in  that  case  a  particular  dispensation  is 
required  from  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  deputy,  who  are  the  only 
General  Directors  of  Masons.  The  Master  of  the  Lodge  will  never 
issue  a  summons  for  a  public  appearance  of  the  Lodge  on  a  trifling 

*  By  public  procession  is  meant  a  general  convention  of  Masons  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  public  appearance. 

5 


74  ILLUSTRATIONS 

hour  for  the  funeral,  and  issues  his  command  to  summon 
the  Lodge ;  if  Brethren  from  other  Lodges  are  expected 
to  attend,  he  must  make  application  through  the  Grand 
Secretary  to  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  deputy,  for  a  dis 
pensation,  to  enable  him  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Grand 
Master  at  such  funeral,  and  to  regulate  the  procession, 
which  is  to  be  solely  under  his  direction;  and  all  the 
Brethren  present  must  be  properly  clothed.52 

The  dispensation  being  obtained,  the  Master  may  invite 
as  many  Lodges  as  he  thinks  proper,  and  the  members  of 
those  Lodges  may  accompany  their  officers  in  form ;  but 
the  whole  ceremony  must  be  under  the  direction  of  the 
Master  of  the  Lodge  to  which  the  deceased  belonged,  for 
which  purpose  only  the  dispensation  is  granted ;  and  he 
and  his  officers  must  be  duly  honoured,  and  cheerfully 
obeyed,  on  the  occason,  as  the  representative,  for  the  time 
being,  of  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy. 

The  Funeral  Service.59 

The  Brethren  being  assembled  at  the  place  where  the  body  of  the 
deceased  lies,  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  to  which  he  belonged  opens 
the  Lodge  in  the  Third  Degree,  with  the  usual  forms,  and  an  anthem 
is  sung.  The  body  being  placed  in  the  centre  on  a  couch,  and  tin- 
coffin  in  which  it  is  laid  being  uncovered,  the  Master  proceeds  to  the 
head  of  the  corpse,  and  the  service  begins. 

"  MASTER.  'What  man  is  he  that  liveth,  and  shall  not  seedeath  ? 
shall  he  deliver  his  soul  from  the  hand  of  the  grave  ? 

'  Man  walketh  in  a  vain  shadow,  he  heapeth  up  riches,  and  cannot 
tell  who  shall  gather  them. 

occasion,  or  without  approbation  ;  well  knowing  that  he  is  amenable 
to  the  General  Assembly  for  his  conduct,  and,  by  the  charges  of  his 
office,  must  submit  to  their  award  ;  should  he,  however,  be  so  impru- 
dent as  to  act  on  this  occasion  improperly,  the  Brethren  of  the  Lodge 
are  warranted  by  the  laws  to  refuse  obedience  to  his  summons ;  but 
they  are  also  amenable  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  contumacy. 

52  All  the  Brethren  who  walk  in  procession  should  observe,  as  much 
as  possible,  an  uniformity  in  their  dress.     Decent  mourning,  with  white 
stockings,  gloves,  and  aprons,  is  most  suitable  and  becoming.     No 
person  should  be  distinguished  by  a  jewel,  who  is  not  an  officer  of  one 
of  the  Lodges  invited  to  attend  in  form ;  and  all  the  officers  of  such 
Lodges  should  be  ornamented  with  sashes  and  hatbands  ;  as  also  the 
officers  of  the  Lodge  to  whom  the  dispensation  is  granted,  who  are, 
moreover,  to  be  distinguished  with  white  rods. 

53  I  retain  the  funeral  service  as  prescribed  by  Brother  Preston, 
though  I  greatly  doubt  whether  it  could  be  consistently  performed.— 
EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  76 

4  When  he  dieth,  he  shall  carry  nothing  away ;  his  glory  shall  not 
descend  after  him. 

'  Naked  he  came  into  the  world,  and  naked  he  must  return :  the 
Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken,  away :  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord  !' 

The  grand  honours  are  then  given,  and  certain  forms  used,  which 
cannot  be  here  explained.  Solemn  music  is  introduced,  during  which 
the  Master  strews  herbs  or  flowers  over  -the  body ;  and,  taking  the 
SACRED  ROLL  in  his  hand,  he  says : — 

1  Let  us  die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  our  last  end  be  like 
his!' 

The  Brethren  answer : — 

4  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever ;  he  will  be  our  guide  even  unto 
death!' 

The  Master  then  puts  the  ROLL  into  the  coffin,  and  says  : — 
'  Almighty  Father !  into  thy  hands  we  commend  the  soul  of  our 
loving  Brother!' 

The  Brethren  answer  three  times,  giving  the  grand  honours  each 
time, 

'  The  will  of  God  is  accomplished !     So  be  it !' 
The  Master  then  repeats  the  following  prayer  : — 
'  *  Most  glorious  God  !  Author  of  all  good,  and  Giver  of  all  mercy 
pour  down  thy  blessings  upon  us,  and  strengthen  all  our  solemn  engage- 
ments with  the  ties  of  fraternal  affection  !     May  the  present  instance 
of  mortality  remind  us  of  our  approaching  fate ;  and  draw  our  atten- 
tion to  Thee,  the  only  refuge  in  time  of  need !  that  when  the  awful 
moment  shall  arrive  that  we  are  about  to  quit  this  transitory  scene, 
the  enlivening  prospect  of  thy  mercy  may  dispel  the  gloom  of  death 
and  that,  after  our  departure  hence  in  peace,  and  in  thy  favour,  we 
may  be  received  into  thine  everlasting  kingdom,  and  there  enjoy,  in 
union  with  the  souls  of  our  departed  friends,  the  just  reward  of  a  pious 
and  virtuous  life  !     Amen."1  " 

An  anthem  being  sung,  the  Master  retires  to  the  pedestal,  and  the 
coffin  is  covered.  An  oration,  suitable  to  the  occasion,  is  then  deliver- 
ed ;  and  the  Master  recommending  love  and  unity,  the  Brethren  join 
hands,  and  renew  to  each  other  their  pledged  vows.  The  Lodge  is 
then  adjourned,  and  the  procession  to  the  place  of  interment  is 
formed. 

The  different  Lodges  rank  according  to  seniority,  the  junior  pre- 
ceding ;  and  each  Lodge  forms  one  division.  The  following  order  ;CT 
then  observed  : —  i 

The  Tyler,  with  his  sword ; 

The  Stewards,  with  white  rods ; 

The  Brethren,  out  of  office,  two  and  two  ; 

The  Secretary,  with  a  roll ; 

The  Treasurer,  with  his  badge  of  office  ; 

The  Senior  and  Junior  Wardens,  hand  in  hand ; 

The  Past  Master ; 

The  Master; 

The  Lodge  to  which  the  deceased  Brother  belonged,  in  the 

following  order ;  all  the  members  having 

flowers  or  herbs  in  their  hands; 

The  Tyler: 


76  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Stewards ; 

Martial  Music  [Drums  muffled,  and  Trumpets  covered;] 

The  Members  of  the  Lodge  ; 

The  Secretary  and  Treasurer ; 

The  Senior  and  Junior  Wardens ; 

The  Past  Master ; 

The  Holy  Writings,  on  a  cushion,  covered  with  black  cloth 
carried  by  the  oldest  Member  of  the  Lodge ; 

The  Master ; 

The  Choristers,  singing  an  anthem ; 
The  Clergyman ; 


The  BODY, 
with  the  regalia 
placed  thereon, 

and  two  swords 
crossed ; 


Chief  Mourner ; 

Assistant  Mourners  • 

Two  Stewards ; 

A  Tyler. 

One  or  two  Lodges  advance,  before  the  procession  begins,  to  the 
church-yard,  to  prevent  confusion,  and  make  the  necessary  prepara- 
tions. The  Brethren  are  not  to  desert  their  ranks  or  change  places, 
but  keep  in  their  different  departments.  When  the  procession  arrives 
at  the  gate  of  the  church-yard,  the  Lodge  to  which  the  deceased  Bro- 
ther belonged,  the  mourners,  and  attendants  on  the  corpse  halt,  till 
the  Members  of  the  other  Lodges  have  formed  a  circle  round  the  grave ; 
when  an  opening  is  made  to  receive  them.  They  then  advance  to  the 
grave  ;  and  the  Clergyman  and  Officers  of  the  acting  Lodge  taking  their 
station  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  with  the  choristers  on  each  side,  and 
the  mourners  at  the  foot,  the  service  is  resumed,  an  anthem  sung,  and 
the  following  exhortation  given  : — 

"  Here  we  view  a  striking  instance  of  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  the 
vanity  of  all  human  pursuits.  The  last  offices  paid  to  the  dead  are 
only  useful  as  lectures  to  the  living ;  from  them  we  are  to  derive 
instruction,  and  consider  every  solemnity  of  this  kind  as  a  summons 
to  prepare  for  our  approaching  dissolution. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  various  mementos  of  mortality  with  which  we 
daily  meet,  notwithstanding  death  has  established  his  empire  over  all 
the  works  of  Nature,  yet,  through  some  unaccountable  infatuation, 
we  are  apt  to  forget  that  we  are  born  to  die.  We  go  on  from  one 
design  to  another,  add  hope  to  hope,  and  lay  out  plans  for  the 
employment  of  many  years,  till  we  are  suddenly  alarmed  with  the 
approach  of  death  when  we  least  expect  him,  and  at  an  hour  which, 
amidst  the  gaieties  of  life,  we  probably  conclude  to  be  the  meridian 
of  our  existence. 

"  What  are  all  the  externals  of  majesty,  the  pride  of  wealth,  or 
charms  of  beauty,  when  Nature  has  paid  her  just  debt  ?  Fix  your 
eyes  on  the  last  scene  ;  view  life  stript  of  her  ornaments,  and  exposed 
in  her  natural  meanness ;  you  will  then  be  convinced  of  the  futility 


OF    MASONRY.  77 

of  those  empty  delusions.  In  the  grave  all  fallacies  are  detected,  all 
ranks  levelled,  and  all  distinctions  done  away. 

"  While  we  drop  the  sympathetic  tear  over  the  grave  of  our  deceased 
friend,  let  charity  incline  us  to  throw  a  veil  over  his  foibles,  whatever 
they  may  have  been,  and  not  withhold  from  his  memory  the  praise 
which  his  virtues  may  have  claimed.  Suffer  the  apologies  of  human 
nature  to  plead  in  his  behalf.  Perfection  on  earth  has  never  been 
attained ;  the  wisest,  as  well  as  the  best  of  men,  have  erred.  His 
meritorious  actions  it  is  our  duty  to  imitate,  and  from  his  weaknesses 
we  are  to  derive  instruction. 

';Let  the  present  example  excite  our  most  serious  thoughts,  and 
strengthen  our  resolution  of  amendment.  Life  being  uncertain,  and  all 
earthly  pursuits  vain,  let  us  no  longer  postpone  the  important  concern 
of  preparing  for  eternity  ;  but  embrace  the  happy  moment,  while  time 
and  opportunity  offer,  to  provide  against  that  great  change  when  all 
the  pleasures  of  the  world  shall  cease  to  delight,  and  the  reflections 
of  a  virtuous  conduct  yield  the  only  comfort  and  consolation.  Our 
expectations  will  not  then  be  frustrated,  nor  shall  we  be  hurried, 
unprepared,  into  the  presence  of  an  all-wise  and  powerful  Judge,  to 
whom  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  are  known,  and  from  whose  dread  tribu- 
nal no  culprit  can  escape. 

"  Let  us,  while  in  this  stage  of  existence,  support  with  propriety  the 
character  of  our  profession,  advert  to  the  nature  of  our  solemnities, 
and  pursue  with  assiduity  the  sacred  tenets  of  the  Order:  with  becom- 
ing reverence,  let  us  supplicate  the  Divine  protection,  and  ensure  the 
favour  of  that  eternal  Being,  whose  goodness  and  power  know  no 
bounds ;  and  when  the  awful  moment  arrives,  that  we  are  about  to 
take  our  departure,  be  it  soon  or  late,  may  we  be  enabled  to  prosecute 
our  journey,  without  dread  or  apprehension,  to  that  far  distant 
country  from  which  no  traveller  returns.  By  the  light  of  the  Divine 
countenance,  we  may  pass,  without  trembling,  through  those  gloomy 
mansions  where  all  things  are  forgotten  ;  and  at  the  great  and  tremen- 
dous day  of  trial  and  retribution,  when  arraigned  at  the  bar  of  Divine 
Justice,  we  may  hope  that  judgment  will  be  pronounced  in  our  favour, 
and  that  we  shall  receive  our  reward,  in  the  possession  of  an  immortal 
inheritance,  where  joy  flows  in  one  continued  stream,  and  no  mound 
can  check  its  course." 

The  following  invocations  are  then  made  by  the  Master,  the  usual 
honours  accompanying  each: 

MASTER.  "  May  we  be  true  and.  faithful ;  and  may  we  live  and  die 
in  love !" 

ANSWER.  "  So  mote  it  be." 

MASTER.  "  May  we  profess  what  is  good,  and  always  act  agreeably 
to  our  profession !" 

ANSWER.  ';  So  mote  it  be." 

MASTER.  "  May  the  Lord  bless  us  and  prosper  us  j  and  may  all  our 
good  intentions  be  crowned  with  success !" 

ANSWER.  "So  mote  it  be  !" 

The  Secretaries  then  advance,  and  throw  their  rolls  into  the  grave 
with  the  usual  forms,  while  the  Master  repeats,  with  an  audible 
voice : — 

"  Glory  be  to  God  on  high !  on  earth  peace !  good  will  towards 
men!" 

ANSWER.  "  So  mote  it  be,  now,  from  henceforth,  and  for  evermore." 


78  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Master  then  concludes  the  ceremony  at  the  grave,  in  the  follow- 
ing words : — 

"  From  time  immemorial  it  has  been  a  custom  among  the  Fraternity 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  the  request  of  a  Brother  on  his  death- 
bed, to  accompany  his  corpse  to  the  place  of  interment ;  and  there  to 
deposit  his  remains  with  the  usual  formalities. 

"  In  conformity  to  this  usage,  and  at  the  special  request  of  our  deceas- 
ed Brother,  whose  memory  we  revere,  and  whose  loss  we  now  deplore. 
we  are  here  assembled  in  the  character  of  Masons,  to  resign  his  body 
to  the  earth  whence  it  came,  and  to  offer  up  to  his  memory,  before  the 
world,  the  last  tribute  of  our  fraternal  affection  ;  thereby  demonstrat- 
ing the  sincerity  of  our  past  esteem,  and  our  inviolable  attachment  to 
the  principles  of  the  Order. 

"  With  all  proper  respect  to  the  established  customs  of  the  country 
in  which  we  live,  with  due  deference  to  our  superiors  in  church  and 
state,  and  with  unlimited  good-will  to  all  mankind,  we  here  appear 
clothed  as  Masons,  and  publicly  express  our  submission  to  order  and 
good  government,  and  our  wish  to  promote  the  general  interests  of 
mankind.  Invested  with  the  badge  of  innocence,  we  humbly  bow  to 
the  universal  Parent,  implore  his  blessing  on  all  our  zealous  endeavours 
to  extend  peace  and  good-will,  and  earnestly  pray  for  his  grace  to 
enable  us  to  persevere  in  the  principles  of  piet}r  and  virtue. 

''The  great  Creator  having  been  pleased,  out  of  his  mercy,  to  remove 
our  worthy  Brother  from  the  cares  and  troubles  of  this  transitory  life, 
to  a  state  of  eternal  duration,  and  thereby  t<>  weaken  the  chains  by 
which  we  are  united,  man  to  man;  may  we,  who  survive  him.  antici- 
pating our  approaching  fate,  be  more  strongly  cemented  in  the  ties  of 
union  and  friendship;  and  during  the  short  space  which  is  allotted  to 
our  present  existence,  wisely  and  usefully  employ  our  time  in  the 
reciprocal  intercourse  of  kind  and  friendly  acts,  and  mutually  promote 
the  welfare  and  happiness  of  each  other. 

"  Unto  the  grave  we  have  resigned  the  body  of  our  deceased  friend, 
there  to  remain  until  the  general  resurrection;  in  favourable  expecta- 
tion that  his  immortal  soul  will  then  partake  of  the  joys  which  have 
been  prepared  for  the  righteous  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  :  and 
may-Almighty  God.  of  his  infinite  goodness,  at  the  grand  tribunal  of 
unbiassed  justice,  extend  his  mercy  toward  him  and  all  of  us.  and  crown 
our  hope  with  everlasting  bliss,  in  the  expanded  realms  of  a  boundless 
eternity  !  This  we  beg,  for  the  h.onour  of  his  Name,  to  whom  be  glory, 
now  and  for  ever.  Amen." 

Thus  the  service  ends;  and,  the  usual  honours  being  given,  the 
procession  returns  in  form  to  the  place  whence  it  set  out.  where  the 
necessary  duties  are  complied  with,  and  the  business  of  Masonry  is 
renewed.  The  regalia  and  other  ornaments  of  the  deceased,  if  he  has 
been  an  officer  of  the  Lodge,  are  returned  to  the  Master,  with  the  usual 
ceremonies;  after  which  the  charges  for  regulating  the  conduct  of  the 
Brethren  are  rehearsed,  and  the  Lodge  is  closed  in  the  Third  Degree 
with  a  blessing. 


OP    MASONRY.  79 


BOOK  III. 

THE    PRINCIPLES    OF    MASONRY    EXPLAINED. 
SECTION    I. 

A  Letter  from  the  learned  Mr.  John  Locke  to  the  Right  Hon. 
Thomas  Earl  of  Pembroke,  with  an  old  Manuscript  on  the 
subject  of  Freemasonry. 

6TH  MAY,  1696. 
MY  LORD, 

I  have  at  length,  by  the  help  .of  Mr.  Collins,  procured 
a  copy  of  that  MS.  in  the  Bodleian  library,  which  you 
were  so  curious  to  see ;  and,  in  obedience  to  your  Lord- 
ship's commands,  I  herewith  send  it  to  you.  Most  of 
the  notes  annexed  to  it  are  what  I  made  yesterday  for 
the  reading  of  my  Lady  Masham,  who  is  become  so  fond 
of  Masonry  as  to  say,  that  she  now  more  than  ever  wishes 
herself  a  man,  that  she  might  be  capable  of  admission 
into  the  Fraternity. 

The  MS.  of  which  this  is  a  copy,  appears  to  be  about 
IbO  years  old ;  yet  (as  your  Lordship  will  observe  by  the 
title)  it  is  itself  a  copy  of  one  yet  more  ancient  by  about 
100  years ;  for  the  original  is  said  to  be  the  hand- writing 
of  K.  Henry  VI.  Where  that  prince  had  it,  is  at  present 
an  uncertainty;  but  it  seems  to  me  to  be  an  examination 
(taken  perhaps  before  the  king)  of  some  one  of  the  bro- 
therhood of  Masons ;  among  whom  he  entered  himself, 
as  it  is  said,  when  he  came  out  of  his  minority,  and  thence- 
forth put  a  stop  to  a  persecution  that  had  been  raised 
against  them :  but  I  must  not  detain  your  Lordship  longer 
by  my  preface  from  the  thing  itself. 

I  know  not  what  effect  the  sight  of  this  old  paper  may 
have  upon  your  Lordship  ;  but  for  my  own  part  I  cannot 
deny,  that  it  has  so  much  raised  my  curiosity,  as  to  induce 


80  ILLUSTRATIONS 

me  to  enter  myself  into  the  Fraternity,  which  I  am  deter- 
mined to  do  (if  I  may  be  admitted)  the  next  time  I  go  to 
London,  and  that  will  be  shortly.  I  am, 

MY  LORD, 
Your  Lordship's  most  obedient, 

.    and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  LOCKE. 


Certayne  Questyons,  with  Answeres  to  the  same,  concerning  the 
Mystery  of  MAJONRYE  ;  writtene  by  the  hande  of  kynge 
HENRYE,  the  sixthe  of  the  name,  and  faithfully e  copycd  by 
me1  JOHAN  LEYLANDE,  Antiquarius,  by  the  commaunde  oj 
his2  Highnesse. 

They  be  as  followethe : — 

QUEST.  What  mote  ytt  be?3 

ANSW.  Ytt  beeth  the  skylle  of  Nature,  the  understond- 
ynge  of  the  myghte  that  ys  hereynne,  and  its  sondrye 
werkynges:  sonderlyche,  the  skylle  of  reckenyngs,  of 
waightes  and  rnetynges,  and  the  true  manere  of  fa^on- 
nynge  al  thyngs  for  mannes  use ;  headlye,  dwellinges, 
and  buyldynges  of  alle  kindes,  and  all  other  thynges  that 
make  gudde  to  inanne. 

QUEST.  Where  dyd  ytt  begynne? 

ANSW.  Ytt  dydd  begynne  with  the  ffyrste  menne  yn 
the  este,4  whych  were  before  the5  ffyrste  menne  of  the 

1  JOHN  LEYLANDE  was  appointed  by  Henry  VIII.,  at  the  dissolution 
of  monasteries,  to  search  for  and  save  such  books  and  records  as  were 
valuable  among  them.  *  He  was  a  man  of  great  labour  and  industry. 

*  His  HIGHNESSE,  meaning  the  said  King  Henry  VIII.  Our  kings 
had  not  then  the  title  of  Majesty. 

3  What  mote  ytt  be  ?]     That  is,  what  may  this  mystery  of  Masonry 
be?     The  answer  imports.     That  it  consists  in  natural,  mathematical, 
and  mechanical  knowledge.     Some  part  of  which  (as  appears  by  what 
follows)  the  Masons  pretend  to  have  taught  the  rest  of  mankind,  and 
some  part  they  still  conceal. 

4  3  Ffyrste  menne  yn  the  este,  &c.]     It  should  seem  by  this,  that 
Masons  believe  there  were  men  in  the  east  before  Adam,  who  is  called 
the  "  ffyrste  manne  of  the  weste ;"  and  that  arts  and  sciences  began  in 
the  east.     Some  authors  of  great  note  for  learning  have  been  of  the 
same  opinion;  and  it  is  certain  that  Europe  and  Africa,  (which,  in 
respect  to  Asia,  may  be  called  western  countries,)  were  wild  and  savage, 
long  after  arts  and  politeness  of  manners  were  in  great  perfection  in 
China  and  the  Indies. 


OF    MASONRY.  81 

weste;  and  comyinge  westlye,  ytt  hathe  broughte  her- 
wyth  alle  comfortes  to  the  wylde  and  comfortlesse. 

QUEST.  Who  dyd  brynge  ytt  westlye? 

ANSW.  The  Venetians,0  whoo  beynge  grate  merchaun- 
des,  corned  ffyrste  ftromme  the  este  ynn  Venetia,  for  the 
commodyte  of  merchaundysynge  beithe  este  and  weste 
bey  the  redde  and  myddlonde  sees. 

QUEST.  Howe  comede  ytt  yn  Engelonde? 

ANSW.  Peter  Gower,7  a  Grecian  journeydde  ffor  kun- 
nynge  yn  Egypte,  and  in  Syria,  and  yn  everyche  londe, 
whereas  the  Venetians  hadde  plaunted  ma^onrye,  and 
wynnynge  entraunce  yn  al  lodges  of  ma^onnes,  he  lerried 
muche,  and  retournedde,  and  woned  yn  Grecia  Magna,8 
wacksynge  and  becommynge  a  myghtye  wyseacre,9  and 
gratelyche  renowned,  and  her  he  framed  a  grate  lodge  at 

8  The  Venetians,  &c.]  In  the  times  of  monkish  ignorance  it  is  no 
wonder  that  the  Phoenicians  should  be  mistaken  for  the  Venetians. 
Or,  perhaps,  if  the  people  were  not  taken  one  for  the  other,  similitude 
of  sound  might  deceive  the  clerk  who  first  took  down  the  examination. 
The  Phoenicians  were  the  greatest  voyagers  among  the  ancients,  and 
were  in  Europe  thought  to  be  the  inventors  of  letters,  which,  perhaps, 
they  brought  from  the  east  with  other  arts. 

7  Peter  Gower,]     This  must  be  another  mistake  of  the  writer.     I 
was  puzzled  at  first  to  guess  who  Peter  Gower  should  be,  the  name 
being  perfectly  English  ;  or  how  a  Greek  should  come  by  such  a  name. 
But  as  soon  as  I  thought  of  Pythagoras,  I  could  scarce  forbear  smiling, 
to  find  that  philosopher  had  undergone  a  metempsychosis  he  never 
dreamt  of.     We  need  only  consider  the  French  pronunciation  of  his 
name,  Pythagore,  that  is,  Petagore,  to  conceive  how  easily  such  a  mis- 
take may  be  made  by  an  unlearned  clerk.     That  Pythagoras  travelled 
for  knowledge  into  Egypt.  &c.,  is  known  to  all  the  learned ;  and  that 
he  was  initiated  into  several  different  Orders  of  priests,  who  in  those 
days  kept  all  their  learning  secret  from  the  vulgar,  is  as  well  known. 
Pythagoras  also  made  every  geometrical  theorem  a  secret,  arid  admit- 
ted only  such  to  the  knowledge  of  them  as  had  first  undergone  a  five 
years'  silence.     He  is  supposed  to  be  the  inventor  of  the  47th  proposi- 
tion of  the  first  book  of  Euclid,  for  which,  in  the  joy  of  his  heart,  it  is 
said  he  sacrificed  a  hecatomb.     He  also  knew  the  true  system  of  the 
world,  lately  revived  by  Copernicus;  and  was  certainly  a  most  wonder- 
ful man.     See  his  Life  by  DION.  HAL. 

8  GRECIA  MAGNA,  a  part  of  Italy  formerly  so  called,  in  which  the 
Greeks  had  settled  a  large  colony. 

9  Wyseacre.]     This  word  at  present  signifies  simpleton,  but  formerly 
had  a  quite  contrary  meaning.     Wiseacre,  in  the  old  Saxon,  is  philo- 
sopher, wiseman,  or  wizard  ;  and  having  been  frequently  used  ironically, 
at  length  came  to  have  a  direct  meaning  in  the  ironical  sense.     Thus 
Duns  Scotus.  a  man  famed  for  the  subtilty  and  acuteness  of  his  under- 
standing, has,  by  the  same  method  of  irony,  given  a  general  name  tc 
modern  dunces. 

5* 


82  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Groton,10  and  maked  manye  Maconnes,  some  whereoffe 
dyde  journeye  yn  Fraunce  and  maked  manye  Maconnes; 
wherefromme,  yn  processe  of  tyme,  the  Arte  passed  in 
Engelonde. 

QUEST.  Dothe  Maconnes  descouer  here  artes  unto 
odhers  't 

ANSW.  Peter  Gower,  whenne  he  journeyede  to  lerne, 
was  ffyrste  made,11  and  anonne  techedde;  evenne  soe 
shulde  all  odhers  beyn  recht.  Natheless  Mayonnes 
hauethe12  alweys,  yn  everyche  tyme,  from  tyme  to  tyme, 
communycatedde  to  mannkynde  soche  of  her  secret  tea 
as  general lyche  rayghte  be  usefulle  ;  they  haueth  keped 
back  soche  allein  as  shulde  be  harmfulle  ytf  they  coined 
yn  euylle  haundes,  oder  soche  as  ne  myghte  be  holpynge 
wytbouten  the  techynges  to  be  joynedde  lierwythe  in 
the  lodge,  oder  soche  as  do  bynde  the  freres  more  strong- 
lyche  togeder,  bey  the  proffytte  and  commodytye  com- 
ynge  to  the  confrerie  lierfroiinne. 

QEST.  Whatte  artes  haueth  the  Maconnes  techedde 
inankynde? 

ANSW.  The  artes  agricultura,13  architecture,  astro- 
nomia,  geometria,  numeres,  musica,  poesie,  kymistrye, 
governemente,  and  relygyonne. 

QUEST.  Howe  commethe  Mayonnes  more  teachers 
than  odher  menue? 

ANSW.  The  hemselfe  haueth  allein  in  arte  of  ffyndynge 
neue  artes,14  whyche  arte  the  ffyrste  Mayonnes  receaued 

10  Groton,]     Groton  is  the  name  of  a  place  in  England.     The  place 
here  meant  is  Crotona,  a  city  of  Grecia  Magna,  which  in  the  time  of 
Pythagoras  was  very  populous. 

11  Ffyrste  made.]     The  word  MADE  I  suppose  has  a  particular  mean- 
ing among  the  Masons;  perhaps  it  signifies  initiated. 

13  Mac.onnes  hauethe — communycatedde,  &c.J  This  paragraph  hath 
something  remarkable  in  it.  It  contains  a  justification  of  the  secrecy 
so  much  boasted  'of  by  Mtsons,  and  so  much  blamed  by  others; 
asserting  that  they  have  in  all  ages  discovered  such  things  as  might 
be  useful,  and  that  they  conceal  such  only  as  would  be  hurtful  either 
to  the  wor4d  or  themselves.  What  these  secrets  are.  we  see  after- 
wards. 

13  The  artes  agricultura,  &c.]  It  seems  a  bold  pretence,  this  of  the 
Masons,  that  they  have  taught  mankind  all  these  arts.  They  have 
their  own  authority  for  it;  and  I  know  not  how  we  shall  disprove 
them.  But  what  appears  most  odd  is,  that  they  reckon  religion  among 
the  arts. 

H  Arte  of  ffyndynge  neue  artes,]  The  art  of  inventing  arts,  must 
certainly  be  a  most  useful  art.  My  Lord  Bacon's  Novum  Organum  ia 


OF    MASONRY.  83 

from  Godde ;  by  the  whyche  they  fyndethe  what  artes 
hem  plesethe,  and  the  treu  way  of  teachynge  the  same. 
Whatt  odher  menne  doethe  ffynde  out,  ys  onelyche  bey 
chaunce,  and  herfore  but  lytel  I  tro. 

QUEST.  What  dothe  the  Masonries  concele  and  hyde? 

ANSW.  Thay  concele  the  the  arte  of  fFyndynge  neue 
artes,  and  thatt  ys  for  here  owne  proffytte,  and  preise  :15 
they  concelethe  the  arte  of  kepynge  secrettes,16  that  soe 
the  worlde  mayeth  nothinge  concele  from  them.  Thay 
concelethe  the  arte  of  wunder-werckynge,  and  of  fore- 
sayinge  thynges  to  comme,  that  so  thay  same  artes  may 
not  be  usedde  of  the  wyckedde  to  an  euyell  ende.  Thay 
also  concelethe  the  arte  of  chaunges,17  the  wey  of  wyn- 
nynge  the  facultye  of  Abrac,18  the  skylle  of  becommynge 
gude  and  parfyghte  wythouten  the  holpynges  of  fere 
and  hope ;  and  the  universelle  longage  of  Ma?onnes.19 

QUEST.  Wylle  he  teche  me  thay  same  artes? 

an  attempt  towards  somewhat  of  the  same  kind.  But  I  much  doubt, 
that  if  ever  the  Masons  had  it,  they  have  now  lost  it ;  since  so  few 
new  arts  have  been  lately  invented,  and  so  many  are  wanted.  The 
idea  I  have  of  such  an  art  is,  that  it  must  be  something  proper  to  be 
employed  in  all  the  sciences  generally,  as  algebra  is  in  numbers,  by 
the  help  of  which  new  rules  of  arithmetic  are,  and  may  be  found. 

15  Preise :]     It  seems  the  Masons  have  great  regard  to  the  reputation 
as  well  as  the  profit  of  their  Order ;  since  they  make  it  one  reason  for 
not  divulging  an  art  in  common,  that  it  may  do  honour  to  the  posses- 
sors of  it.     1  think  in  this  particular  they  show  too  much  regard  for 
their  own  society,  and  too  little  for  the  rest  of  mankind. 

16  Arte  of  kepynge  secrettes,]     What  kind  of  an  art  this  is,  I  can  by 
no  means  imagine.     But  certainly  such  an  art  the  Masons  must  have : 
for  though,  as  some  people  suppose,  they  should  have  no  secret  at  all, 
even  that  must  be  a  secret,  which,  being  discovered,  would  expose  them 
to  the  highest  ridicule ;  and  therefore  it  requires  the  utmost  caution 
to  conceal  it. 

17  Arte  of  chaunges,]     I  know  not  what  this  means,  unless  it  be  the 
transmutation  of  metals. 

18  Facultye  of  Abrac,]     Here  I  am  utterly  in  the  dark. 

18  Universelle  longage  of  Masonnes.]  An  universal  language  has 
been  much  desired  by  the  learned  of  many  ages.  It  is  a  thing  rather 
to  be  wished  than  hoped  for.  But  it  seems  the  Masons  pretend  to  have 
such  a  thing  among  them.  If  it  be  true,  I  guess  it  must  be  something 
like  the  language  of  the  Pantomimes,  among  the  ancient  Romans,  who 
are  said  to  be  able,  by  signs  only,  to  express  and  deliver  any  oration 
intelligibly  to  men  of  all  nations  and  languages.  A  man  who  has  all 
these  arts  and  advantages  is  certainly  in  a  condition  to  be  envied :  but 
we  are  told  that  this  is  not  the  case  with  all  Masons ;  for  though  these 
arts  are  among  them,  and  all  have  a  right  and  an  opportunity  to  know 
them,  yet  some  want  capacity,  and  others  industry,  to  acquire  them. 
However,  of  all  their  aits  and  secrets,  that  which  I  most  desire  to 


84  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ANSW.  Ye  shalle  be  techedde  yff  ye  be  werthye,  ana 
able  to  lerne. 

QUEST.  Dothe  all  Ma^onnes  kunne  more  then  odher 
menne? 

ANSW.  Not  so.  Thay  onlyche  haueth  recht  and 
occasyonne  more  then  odher  menne  to  kunne,  butt 
inanye  doeth  fale  yn  capacity,  and  manye  more  doth 
want  industrye,  that  ys  peniecessarye  for  the  gaynynge 
all  kunnynge. 

QUEST.  Are  Ma^onnes  gudder  men  than  odhers? 

ANSW.  Some  Ma^onnes  are  not  so  virtuous  as  some 
odher  menne ;  but,  yn  the  most  parte,  thay  be  more 
gude  then  they  would  be  yf  thay  war  not  Masonnes. 

QUEST.  Dothe  Magonnes  love  eidher  odher  myghtylye 
as  beeth  sayde? 

ANSW.  Yea  verylyche,  and  yt  may  not  odherwise  be : 
for  gude  menne  and  true,  kennynge  eidher  odher  to  be 
soche,  doeth  always  love  the  more  as  they  be  more  gude.20 

[Here  endethe  the  questyonnes  and  awnsweres.] 

know  is,  "  The  skylle  of  becommynge  gude  and  parfyghte ;"  and  I  wish 
it  were  communicated  to  all  mankind,  since  there  is  nothing  more  true 
than  the  beautiful  sentence  contained  in  the  last  answer,  "  That  the 
better  men  are,  the  more  they  love  one  another:"  Virtue  having 
in  itself  something  so  amiable  as  to  charm  the  hearts  of  all  that 
behold  it. 

20  A  GLOSSARY  of  antiquated  Words  in  the  foregoing  Manuscript 

Aibein,  only  Myghte,  power 

Alweys,  always  Occasyonne,  opportunity 

Beithe,  both  Odher,  other 

Commodyte,  convenience  Onelyche,  only 

Confrerie,  fraternity  Pernecessarye,  absolutely  neces- 

Faconnynge,  forming  sary 

Foresayingc,  prophesying  Preise,  honour 

Freres,  brethren  Recht,  right 

Headlye,  chiefly  Reckenyngs,  numbers 

Hem  plesethe,  they  please  Sonderlyciie,  particularly 

Hemselfe,  themselves  Skylle,  knowledge 

Her,  there,  their  Wacksynge,  growing 

Hereynne,  therein  Werck,  operation 

Herwyth,  with  it  Wey,  way 

Holpynge,  beneficial  Whereas,  where 

Kunne,  know  Woned,  dwelt 

Kunnynge,  knowledge  Wunderwerckyngc,  working 

Make  gudde,  are  beneficial  miracles 

Metynges,  measures  Wylde,  savage 

Mote,  may  Wynnynge,  gaining 

Myddlonde,  Mediterranean  Ynn,  into 


OP    MASONRY.  86 

SECT.  II. 

Remarks  on  the  preceding  Manuscript,  ahd  on  the 
Annotations  of  Mr.  LOCKE. 

THIS  dialogue  possesses  a  double  claim  to  our  regard : 
first,  for  its  antiquity ;  and  next,  for  the  notes  added  to 
it  by  Mr.  Locke,  who,  though  not  at  that  time  enrolled 
in  the  order  of  Masons,  offers  very  just  conjectures  on 
their  history  and  traditions. 

Every  reader  must  feel  a  secret  satisfaction  in  the 
perusal  of  this  ancient  manuscript,  especially  the  true 
Mason,  whom  it  more  nearly  concerns.  The  recommend- 
ation of  a  philosopher  of  as  great  merit  and  penetration 
as  this  nation  ever  produced,  added  to  the  real  value  of 
the  piece  itself,  mus,t  give  it  a  sanction  and  render  it 
deserving  a  serious  examination. 

The  conjecture  of  the  learned  annotator  concerning 
its  being  an  examination  taken  before  King  Henry  of  one 
of  the  Fraternity  of  Masons,  is  accurate.  The*  severe 
edict  passed  at  that  time  against  the  Society,  and  the 
discouragement  given  to  the  Masons  by  the  Bishop  of 
Winchester  and  his  party,  induced  that  prince,  in  his 
riper  years,  to  make  a  strict  scrutiny  into  the  nature  of 
the  Masonic  Institution ;  which  was  attended  with  the 
happy  circumstance  of  gaining  his  favour,  and  his  pa- 
tronage. Had  not  the  civil  commotions  in  the  kingdom 
during  his  reign  attracted  the  notice  of  government,  this 
act  would  probably  have  been  repealed,  through  the 
intercession  of  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  whose  attach- 
ment to  the  Fraternity  was  conspicuous. 

Page  80.  What  mote  ytt  be?]  Mr.  Locke  observes, 
in  his  annotation  on  this  question,  that  the  answer  im- 
ports, Masonry  consists  of  natural,  mathematical,  and 
mechanical  knowledge;  some  part  of  which,  he  says, 
the  Masons  pretend  to  have  taught  mankind,  and  some 
part  they  still  conceal. — The  arts  which  they  have  com- 
municated to  the  world,  are  particularly  specified  in  an 
answer  to  one  of  the  following  questions ;  as  are  also 
those  which  they  have  restricted  to  themselves  for  wise 
purposes. — Morality,  however,  might  have  been  included 
in  this  answer,  as  it  constitutes  a  principal  part  of  the 
masonic  system. 


86  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page  80.  Where  dyd  ytt  begynne?]  In  the  annota- 
tion to  the  answer  on  this  question,  Mr.  Locke  seems  to 
suggest,  that  Masons  believed  there  were  men  in  the 
East  before  Adam,  which  is,  indeed,  a  mere  conjecture. 
This  opinion  may  be  countenanced  by  some  learned 
authors;  but  Masons  comprehend  the  true  meaning  ot 
Masonry  taking  rise  in  the  east  and  spreading  to  the 
west,  without  having  recourse  to  the  Preadamites. 
East  and  west  are  terms  peculiar  to  their  Society ,  and 
when  masonically  adopted  are  very  intelligible,21  as  they 
refer  to  certain  forms  and  established  customs  among 
themselves.  From  the  east,  it  is  well  known,  learning 
extended  to  the  western  world,  and  gradually  advanced 
into  Europe. 

Page  81.  '  Who  dyd  brynge  ytt  westlye  ?]  The  judi- 
cious correction  of  an  illiterate  clerk,  in  the  answer  to 
this  question  as  well  as  in  the  next,  reflects  credit  on  the 
ingenious  annotator.  The  explanation  is  just,  and  the 
elucidation  accurate. 

Page  81.  Howe  comede  ytt  yn  Engelonde?]  The 
records,  of  the  Fraternity  inform  us,  that  Pythagoras  was 
regularly  initiated  into  Masonry;  and,  being  properly 
instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  the  Art,  propagated  the 
principles  of  the  Order  in  other  countries  into  which  he 
travelled. 

Pythagoras  lived  at  Samos,  in  the  reign  of  Tarquin, 
the  last  king  of  the  Romans,  in  the  year  of  Rome  220; 
or,  according  to  Livy,  in  the  reign  of  Servius  Tullius,  in 
the  year  of  the  world  3472.  He  was  the  son  of  a  sculp- 
tor, and  was  educated  under  one  of  the  greatest  men  of 
his  time,  Pherecydes  of  Syrus,  who  first  taught  the 
immortality  of  the  soul.  On  the  death  of  his  patron,  he 
determined  to  trace  science  to  its  source,  and  to  supply 
himself  with  fresh  stores  in  every  part  of  the  world  where 
these  could  be  obtained.  Animated  by  a  desire  of  know- 
ledge, he  travelled  into  Egypt,  and  submitted  to  that 
tedious  and  discouraging  course  of  preparatory  discipline, 
which  was  requisite  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  Egyptian 
initiation.  When  he  had  made  himself  a  thorough  mas- 

81  "And  behold  the  glory  of  the  God  of  Israel  came  from  the  way 
of  the  East."  Ezek.  xliii.,  2.— Vid.  "  Signs  and  Symbols,"  by  the 
Editor. 


OF    MASONRY.  87 

ter  of  all  the  sciences  that  were  cultivated  in  the  sacer- 
dotal colleges  of  Thebes  and  Memphis,  he  pursued  his 
travels  through  the  east,  conversing  with  the  Magi  and 
Indian  Brachmans,  and  mixing  their  doctrines  with  those 
he  had  learnt  in  Egypt.  He  afterwards  studied  the  laws 
of  Minos  at  Crete,  and  those  of  Lycurgus  at  Sparta. 
Having  spent  the  earlier  part  of  his  life  in  this  useful 
manner,  he  returned  to.  Samos  well  acquainted  with 
every  thing  curious  either  in  Nature  or  art  in  foreign 
countries,  improved  with  all  the  advantages  proceeding 
from  a  regular  and  laborious  course  of  learned  education, 
and  adorned  with  that  knowledge  of  mankind  which  was 
necessary  to  gain  the  ascendant  over  them.  Accustomed 
to  freedom,  he  disliked  the  arbitrary  government  of 
Pblycrates,  then  tyrant  of  Samos,  and  retired  to  Crotona 
in  Italy,  where  he  opened  a  school  of  philosophy ;  and, 
by  the  gravity  and  sanctity  of  his  manners,  the  import- 
ance of  his  tenets,  and  the  peculiarity  of  his  institutions, 
soon  spread  his  fame  and  influence  over  Italy  and  Greece.22 
Among  other  projects  which  he  used  to  create  respect, 
and  gain  credit  to  his  assertions,  he  concealed  himself  in 
a  cave,  and  caused  it  to  be  reported  that*  he  was  dead. 
After  some  time  he  came  abroad,  and  pretended  that  the 
intelligence  which  his  friends  gave  him  in  his  retreat,  of 
the  transactions  of  Crotona,  was  collected  during  his  stay 
in  the  other  world  among  the  shades  of  the  departed. 
He  formed  his  disciples,  who  came  from  all  parts  to  put 
themselves  under  his  direction,  into  a  kind  of  republic, 
where  none  were  admitted  till  a  severe  probation  had 
sufficiently  exercised  their  patience  and  docility.  He 
afterwards  divided  them  into  the  esoteric  and  exoteric 
classes:  to  the  former  he  entrusted  the  more  sublime  and 

22  The  ceremony  of  opening  his  lodges  concluded  with  an  exhorta- 
tion to  silence  and  secrecy,  and  to  keep  a  tongue  of  good  report ;  and 
at  closing,  many  important  duties  were  enjoined: — 1.  To  abstain  from 
brawls  and  quarrels ;  to  defend  the  characters  of  honest  companions, 
knowing  their  approved  worth.  2.  Not  to  revile  or  slander  each 
other ;  and  if.  unfortunately,  they  could  not  applaud,  to  be  silent ;  for 
silence  was  considered  a  distinguishing  characteristic  of  their  profes- 
sion. 3.  To  be  cautious  in  the  use  and  application  of  words  and 
phrases,  and  carefully  to  abstain  from  using  any  word  of  malignant 
import  in  common  conversation,  and  for  such  words  as  prison,  traitor, 
murder,  poison,  rebellion,  death.  &c.,  to  substitute  others  of  milder 
interpretation.  Vide  lamblichus  passim.  Cic.  de  Divin.,  1. 1,  &o.— ED 


88  ILLUSTRATIONS 

secret  doctrines,  to  the  latter  the  more  simple  and  popu- 
lar. This  great  man  found  himself  able  to  unite  the 
character  of  the  legislator  to  that  of  the  philosopher,  and 
to  rival  Lycurgus  and  Orpheus  in  the  one,  Pherecydes 
and  Thales  in  the  other;  following,  in  this  particular, 
the  patterns  set  him  by  the  Egyptian  priests,  his 
instructors,  who  were  not  less  celebrated  for  settling  the 
civil  than  the  religious  economy  of  their  nation.  In 
imitation  of  them,  Pythagoras  gave  laws  to  the  republic 
of  Crotona,  and  brought  the  inhabitants  from  a  state  of 
luxury  and  dissoluteness,  to  be  eminent  for  order  and 
sobriety.  While  he  lived,  he  was  frequently  consulted 
by  the  neighbouring  republics,  as  the  composer  of  their 
differences,  and  the  reformer  of  their  manners ;  and,  since 
his  death,  (which  happened  about  the  fourth  year  of  the 
70th  Olympiad,  in  a  tumult  raised  against  him  by  one 
Cylon,)  the  administration  of  their  affairs  has  been  gene- 
rally intrusted  to  some  of  his  disciples  ;  among  whom,  to 
produce  the  authority  of  their  master  for  any  assertion, 
was  sufficient  to  establish  the  truth  of  it  without  further 
inquiry. 

The  most  celebrated  of  the  philosophical  notions  of 
Pythagoras  are  those  concerning  the  nature  of  the  Deity, 
the  transmigration  of  souls  into  different  bodies  (which 
he  borrowed  from  the  Brachmans).  and  the  system  of  the 
world.  He  was  the  first  who  took  the  name  of  philoso- 
pher,  that  is,  a  lover  of  wisdom.  His  system  of  morality 
was  admirable.  He  made  unity  the  principle  of  all 
things,  and  imagined  that  between  God  and  man  there 
were  various  orders  of  spiritual  beings,  who  administered 
to  the  divine  will.  He  believed  in  the  doctrine  of  the 
metempsychosis,  or  transmigration  of  souls:  and  heh 
that  God  was  diffused  through  all  parts  of  the  universe, 
like  a  kind  of  universal  soul,  pervading  every  particle  of 
matter,  and  animating  every  living  creature,  from  the 
most  contemptible  reptile  to  mankind  themselves,  who 
shared  a  larger  portion  of  the  Divine  Spirit.  The  metem- 
psychosis was  founded  on  this  maxim,  that  as  the  soul 
was  of  celestial  origin,  it  could  not  be  annihilated ;  and 
therefore,  upon  abandoning  one  body,  it  necessarily 
removed  into  another,  and  frequently  did  penance  for  its 
former  vicious  inclinations  in  the  shape  of  a  beast  or  an 
insect,  before  it  appeared  again  in  that  of  a  human 


Ol     MASONRY.  89  " 

creature.  He  asserted  that  he  had  a  particular  faculty 
given  him  by  the  gods,  of  remembering  the  various 
bodies  his  own  soul  had  passed  through,  and  confounded 
cavillers  by  referring  them  to  his  own  experience.  In 
his  system  of  the  world,  the  third  doctrine  which  distin- 
guishes his  sect,  was  a  supposition  that  the  sun  was  at 
rest  in  the  centre,  and  that  the  earth,  the  moon,  and  the 
other  planets  moved  round  it  "in  different  orbits.  He 
pretended  to  have  great  skill  in  the  mysterious  properties 
of  numbers,  arid  held  that  some  particular  ones  contained 
a  peculiar  force  and  significance.  He  was  a  great  geome- 
trician, and  admitted  only  those  to  the  knowledge  of  his 
system,  who  had  first  undergone  a  probation  of  five  years' 
silence.  To  his  discovery  is  attributed  the  47th  propo- 
sition of  the  first  book  of  Euclid,23  which,  in  geometrical 
solutions  and  demonstrations  of  quantities,  is  of  excellent 
use;  and  for  which,  as  Mr.  Locke  observes,  in  the  joy  of 
his  heart,  he  is  said  to  have  sacrificed  a  hecatomb.  His 
extraordinary  desire  of  knowledge,  and  the  pains  he  took 
to  propagate  his  system,  have  justly  transmitted  his  fame 
to  posterity.24 

The  pupils  who  were  initiated  by  him  in  the  sciences 
and  study  of  Nature  at  the  Crotonian  school,  brought  all 
their  goods  into  a  common  stock,  contemned  the  pleas- 
ures of  sense,  abstained  from  swearing,  and  ate  nothing 
that  had  life.  Steady  to  the  tenets  and  principles  which 
they  had  imbibed,  they  dispersed  abroad,  and  taught  the 
doctrines  of  their  preceptor  in  all  the  countries  through 
which  they  travelled. 

Page  82.  Dothe  Macjonnes  descouer  here  artes  unto 
odhers  ?]  Masons,  in  all  ages,  have  studied  the  general 
good  of  mankind.  Every  art  which  is  necessary  for  the 
support  of  authority  and  good  government,  or  which 
could  extend  science,  they  have  cheerfully  communicated 
to  the  world.  Points  of  no  public  utility,  as  their  pecu- 
liar tenets,  mystic  forms,  and  solemn  rites,  they  have 

23  THEOREM.]     In  any  right-angled  triangle,  the  square  which  is 
described  upon  the  side  subtending  the  right  angle,  is  equal  to  the 
squares   described   upon  the   sides  which  contain  the  right  angle. 
^Euclid,  lib.  i.,  prop.  47. 

24  For  a  more  particular  account  of  the  system  of  Pythagoras,  I  may 
refer  the  curious  Mason  to  my  History  of  Initiation,  Lecture  xi  — 
EDITOR. 


90  ILLUSTRATIONS 

carefully  concealed.  Thus  Masons  have  been  distin- 
guished in  various  countries  for  disseminating  learning 
and  general  knowledge,  while  they  have  always  kept  the 
privileges  of  their  own  Order  sacred  and  inviolable  among 
themselves. 

Page  82.  Whatte  artes  haueth  the  Ma?onnes  techedde 
mankynde?]  The  arts  which  the  Masons  have  publicly 
taught,  are  here  specified.  It  appears  to  have  surprised 
the  learned  annotator,  that  religion25  should  have  been 
ranked  among  the  arts  taught  by  the  Fraternity ;  but  it 
may  be  observed,  that  religion  is  the  only  tie  which  can 
bind  men ;  and  that  where  there  is  no  religion,  there  can 
be  no  Masonry.  Among  Masons,  however,  it  is  an  art, 
which  is  calculated  to  unite  for  a  time  opposite  systems, 
without  perverting  or  destroying  those  systems.  By  the 
influence  of  this  art,  the  purposes  of  the  institution  are 
effectually  answered,  and  religious  animosities  happily 
terminated. 

Masons  have  ever  paid  due  obedience  to  the  moral  law, 
and  inculcated  its  precepts  with  powerful  energy  on  their 
disciples.  Hence  the  doctrine  of  a  God,  the  creator  and 
preserver  of  the  universe,  has  been  their  firm  belief  in 
every  age ;  and  under  the  influence  of  that  doctrine,  their 
conduct  has  been  regulated  through  a  succession  of  years. 
The  progress  of  knowledge  and  philosophy,  aided  by 
Divine  Revelation,  having  enlightened  the  minds  of  men 
with  the  knowledge  of  the  true  God,  and  the  sacred 
tenets  of  the  Christian  faith,  Masons  have  readily  acqui- 
esced in  a  religion  so  wisely  calculated  to  make  men 
happy ;  but  in  those  countries  where  the  Gospel  has  not 
reached,  or  Christianity  displayed  her  beauties,  they  have 
inculcated  the  universal  religion,  or  the  religion  of  Na- 
ture j26  that  is,  to  be  good  men  and  true,  by  whatever 
denomination  or  persuasion  they  are  distinguished ;  and 
by  this  universal  system,  their  conduct  has  always  been 
regulated.  A  cheerful  compliance  with  the  established 
religion  of  the  country  in  which  they  live,  is  earnestly 
recommended  in  the  assemblies  of  Masons ;  and  this 
universal  conformity,  notwithstanding  private  sentiment 
and  opinion,  is  the  art  practised  by  them,  which  effects 

26  Vide  Star  in  the  East. 

86  Vide  Antiquities  of  Freemasonry,  p.  10. 


OF    MASONRY.  91 

the  laudable  purpose  of  conciliating  true  friendship  among 
men  of  every  persuasion,  while  it  proves  the  cement  of 
general  union. 

By  Masonry  we  are  taught  not  to  deviate  from  the  line 
of  instruction  in  which  we  have  been  educated,  or  disre- 
gard the  principles  of  religion  that  we  have  originally 
imbibed.  Though  it  is  our  rule  to  suit  ourselves  to  cir- 
cumstances and  situation  in  the  character  of  Masons,  we 
are  never  to  forget  the  wise  maxims  of  our  parents,  or 
desert  the  faith  in  which  we  have  been  nurtured,  unless 
from  conviction  we  may  be  justified  in  making  the 
change ;  and  in  effecting  that  change,  Masonry  can  have 
no  share.  The  tenets  of  the  institution,  therefore,  inter- 
fere with  no  particular  faith,  but  are  alike  reconcilable 
to  all.  Religious  and  political  disputes  never  engage 
the  attention  of  Masons  in  their  private  seminaries  :  those 
points  are  left  to  the  discussion  and  determination  of 
other  associations  for  whom  the  theme  is  better'calcu- 
lated ;  it  being  a  certain  truth,  that  the  wisest  systems 
have  been  more  frequently  Injured  than  benefited  by 
religious  cavil.27 

27  Notwithstanding  the  happiest  events  have  arisen  in  many  periods 
of  the  history  of  the  world,  from  the  efforts  of  a  wise,  pious,  learned, 
and  moderate  clergy,  seconded  by  the  influence  and  authority  of  reli- 
gious principles,  whose  counsels  and  example  have  always  had  a  com- 
manding power,  by  enabling  them  to  do  good  with  a  facility  peculiar 
to  themselves,  it  must  be  observed,  with  a  generous  concern,  that 
those  efforts  have  not  been  sufficient  to  extinguish  the  unhappy  spirit 
of  fanaticism,  of  whose  deplorable  effects  almost  every  age  has 
exhibited  a  striking  picture.  Enthusiastical  sects  have  been  perpetu- 
ally inventing  new  forms  of  religion  in  various 'countries,  by  working 
on  the  passions  of  the  ignorant  and  unwary,  and  deriving  their  rules 
of  faith  and  manners  from  the  fallacious  suggestions  of  a  warm  imagi- 
nation, rather  than  from  the  clear  and  infallible  dictates  of  the  Word 
of  God.  One  set  of  men  has  covered  religion  with  a  tawdry  habit  of 
type  and  allegory,  while  another  has  converted  it  into  an  instrument 
of  dissension  and  discord.  The  discerning  mind,  however,  may  easily 
trace  the  unhappy  consequences  of  departing  from  the  divine  simplicity 
of  the  Gospel,  and  loading  its  pure  and  heavenly  doctrines  with  the 
inventions  and  commandments  of  men.  The  tendency  of  true  religion 
is,  to  strengthen  the  springs  of  government,  by  purifying  the  motives 
and  animating  the  zeal  of  those  who  govern ;  to  promote  the  virtues 
which  exalt  a  nation,  by  rendering  its  inhabitants  good  subjects  and 
true  patriots,  and  confirming  all  the  essential  bonds  and  obligations  of 
civil  society.  The  enemies  of  religion  are  the  enemies  of  mankind ; 
and  it  is  the  natural  tendency  of  infidelity  and  licentiousness  to  dis- 
solve the  most  sacred  obligations,  to  remove  the  most  powerful  motives 


92  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page  82.  Howe  commethe  Masonries  more  teachers 
than  odher  menrie  ?]  The  answer  implies  that  Masons, 
from  the  nature  and  government  of  their  association, 
have  greater  opportunities  than  other  men  to  improve 
their  talents,  and  therefore  are  allowed  to  be  better 
qualified  to  instruct  others. 

Mr.  Locke's  observation  on  Masons  having  the  art  of 
finding  new  arts  is  judicious,  and  his  explanation  just. 
The  Fraternity  have  always  made  the  study  of  the  arts 
a  principal  part  of  their  private  amusement:  in  their 
assemblies,  nice  and  difficult  theories  have  been  canvassed 
and  explained,  new  discoveries  produced,  and  those  already 
known  illustrated.  The  different  classes  established,  the 
gradual  progression  of  knowledge  communicated,  and 
the  regularity  observed  throughout  the  whole  system  of 
their  government,  are  evident  proofs,  that  those  who  are 
initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  the  Masonic  Art,  may 
discover  new  arts ;  and  this  knowledge  is  acquired  by 
instruction  from,  and  familiar  intercourse  with,  men  of 
genius  and  ability,  who  have,  in  their  masonic  disqui- 
sitions, an  opportunity  of  displaying  their  talents  to 
advantage  on  almost  every  important  branch  of  science. 

Page  83.  What  dathe  the  Ma^onnes  concele  and 
hyde  ?]  The  answer  imports,  the  art;  of  finding  new 
arts,28  for  their  profit  and  praise ;  and  then  particularizes 

to  virtue,  and,  by  corrupting  the  principles  of  individuals,  to  poison 
the  sources  of  public  order  and  tranquillity. 

Such  are  the  mischiefs  arising  from  zeal  and  enthusiasm  carried  to 
excess ;  but  when  the  principles  of  Masonry  are  better  understood 
and  practised,  the  Fraternity  will  be  found  to  be  the  best  correctors 
of  misguided  zeal  and  unrestrained  licentiousness,  and  the  ablest 
supporters  of  every  well-regulated  government. 

18  There  can  be  no  doubt  but  our  ecclesiastical  edifices  are  indebted 
for  their  splendour  to  the  exertions  and  fine  taste  of  the  Freemasons. 
All  our  most  intelligent  and  best  informed  architects  and  antiquaries 
freely  acknowledge  it.  Sir  James  Hall  says,  that  pointed  architecture 
was  one  of  the  secrets  of  Freemasons,  and  originated  from  an  imitation 
of  wickerwork;  and  that  it  was  practised  earlier  in  Scotland  than  in 
England.  Mr.  Browne,  of  York,  says,  that  the  working  principles  of 
ecclesiastical  architecture  were  founded  on  schemes  analogous  to  the 
principles  of  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity;  and  that  "there  is  a  great 
probability  of  the  schemes  having,  in  olden  times,  constituted  a  prin- 
cipal secret  in  the  sublime  degree  of  Freemasonry ;  and  that  the  bishops, 
priests,  and  other  distinguished  personages  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  were  nearly  the  sole  professors  of  that  degree  ;  and  that  they 
styled  the  principal  secret  of  their  Order,  the  "Art  of  finding  new 
Arts."— -(Gent.  Mag.,  Jan.,  1829.)— EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  93 

the  different  arts  they  carefully  conceal.  Mr.  Locke's 
remark,  "  That  this  shows  too  much  regard  for  their  own 
society,  and  too  little  for  the  rest  of  mankind,"  is  rather 
severe,  when  he  has  before  admitted  the  propriety  of 
concealing  from  the  world  what  is  of  no  real  public 
utility,  lest,  by  being  converted  to  bad  uses,  the  conse- 
quences might  be  prejudicial  to  society.  By  the  word 
praise  is  here  meant  that  honour  and  respect  to  which 
Masons  are  entitled,  as  the  friends  of  science  and  learn- 
ing, and  which  is  absolutely  necessary  to  give  a  sanction 
to  the  wise  doctrines  they  propagate,  while  their  fidelity 
gives  them  a  claim  to  esteem,  and  the  rectitude  of  their 
manners  demands  veneration. 

Of  all  the  acts  which  the  Masons  practise,  the  art  of 
secrecy  particularly  distinguishes  them.  Taciturnity  is 
a  proof  of  wisdom,  and  is  allowed  to  be  of  the  utmost 
importance  in  the  different  transactions  of  life.  The  best 
writers  have  declared  it  to  be  an  art  of  inestimable  value ; 
and  that  it  is  agreeable  to  the  Deity  himself  may  be  easily 
conceived  from  the  glorious  example  which  he  gives,  in 
concealing  from  mankind  the  secrets  of  his  providence. 
The  wisest  of  men  cannot  pry  into  the  arcana  of  heaven ; 
nor  can  they  divine  to-day  what  to-morrow  may  bring 
forth. 

Many  instances  might  be  adduced  from  history  to  show 
the  high  veneration  which  was  paid  to  the  art  of  secrecy29 
by  the  ancients.  Pliny  informs  us,  that  Anaxarchus, 
being  imprisoned  with  a  view  to  extort  from  him  some 
secrets  with  which  he  had  been  entrusted,  and  dreading 
lest  exquisite  torture  might  induce  him  to  betray  his 
trust,  bit  his  tongue  in  the  middle,  and  threw  it  into  the 
face  of  Nicocreon,  the  tyrant  of  Cyprus. — No  torments 
could  make  the  servants  of  Plancus  betray  the  secrets  of 
their  master  ;  they  encountered  every  pain  with  fortitude, 
and  strenuously  supported  their  fidelity,  amidst  the  most 
severe  tortures,  till  death  put  a  period  to  their  sufferings. 
— The  Athenians  bowed  to  a  statue  of  brass,  which  was 
represented  without  a  tongue,  to  denote  secrecy. — The 
Egyptians  worshipped  Harpocrates,  the  god  of  silence, 

f>  Vide  Clem.  Alex.,  Strom.  2.  Lucian  Demon.— Meurs  Eleus.,  c. 
20.  Suidas,  voc.  Jiayogas  o  Mqhos,  &c.  Si  quis  arcana)  mystoria 
Cereris  sacra  vulgAsset,  lege  raorti  addicebatur.— EDITOR. 


94  ILLUSTRATIONS 

who  was  always  represented  holding  his  finger  at  his 
mouth.30 — The  Romans  had  their  goddess  of  nilence, 
named  Angerona,  to  whom  they  offered  worship. — Ly- 
curgus,  the  celebrated  lawgiver,  as  well  as  Pythagoras, 
the  great  scholar,  particularly  recommended  this  virtue; 
especially  the  last,  who,  as  we  have  before  observed, 
kept  his  disciples  silent  during  five  years,  that  they  might 
learn  the  valuable  secrets  he  had  to  communicate  unto 
them.  This  evinces  that  he  deemed  secrecy  the  rarest 
as  well  as  the  noblest  art.81 

30  Hence,  probably,  originated  the  expression  of  "  Under  the  Rose ;" 
for  the  rose  was  the  symbol  of  silence  in  ancient  times.  Lemuius  and 
others  have  recorded  that  it  was  the  flower  of  Venus,  which  Cupid 
consecrated  unto  Harpocrates.  the  god  of  silence,  And  was.  therefore, 
an  emblem  thereof,  to  conceal  the  pranks  of  this  mischievous  little 
urchin,  as  is  declared  in  this  tetrastich, — 

Est  Rosa  flos  Veueris,  cujua  qud  facta  laterent, 

Harpocrati  niatris.  dona  dicarit  amor; 
Inde  rosam  mensis  hoapes  suspendit  amicis, 

Convivae  ut  sub  ea  dicta  tacenda  sciant. 
»  Vide  Brown's  Vulg.  Brr.,  b.  5,  e.  22.--EPITOR. 

81  The  following  story  is  related  by  a  Roman  historian  (Aulus 
Gellius),  which,  as  it  may  be  equally  pleasing  and  instructive,  we  shall 
insert  at  full  length. 

"  The  senators  of  Rome  had  ordained,  that,  during  their  consultations 
in  the  senate-house,  each  senator  should  be  permitted  to  bring  his  son 
with  him,  who  was  to  depart,  if  occasion  required;  but  this  favour 
was  not  general,  being  restricted  only  to  the  sons  of  noblemen  ;  who, 
in  those  days,  were  tutored  from  their  infancy  in  the  virtueof  secrecy, 
and  thereby  qualified,  in  their  riper  years,  to  discharge  the  most 
important  offices  of  government  with  fidelity  and  wisdom.  About 
this  time  it  happened  that  the  senators  met  on  a  very  important  case, 
and  the  affair  requiring  mature  deliberation,  they  were  detained  longer 
than  usual  in  the  senate-house,  and  the  conclusion  of  their  determina- 
tion was  adjourned  to  the  following  day;  each  member  engaging,  in 
the  mean  time,  to  keep  secret  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting.  Among 
other  noblemen's  sons  who  attended  on  the  occasion,  was  the  son  of 
the  grave  Papyrus — a  family  of  great  renown  and  splendour.  This 
youth  was  no  less  remarkable  for  the  extent  of  his  genius,  than  for 
the  prudence  of  his  deportment.  On  his  return  home,  his  mother, 
anxious  to  know  what  important  case  had  been  debated  in  the  senate 
that  day,  which  had  detained  the  senators  so  long  beyond  the  usual 
hour,  entreated  him  to  relate  the  particulars.  The  noble  and  virtuous 
youth  told  her  it  was  a  business  not  in  his  power  to  reveal,  he  being 
solemnly  enjoined  to  silence.  On  hearing  this,  her  importunities  were 
more  earnest,  and  her  inquiries  more  minute!  By  fair  speeches  and 
entreaties,  with  liberal  promises,  she  endeavoured  to  break  open  this 
little  casket  of  secrecy;  but  these  proving  ineffectual,  she  adopted 
rigorous  measures,  and  had  recourse  to.  stripes  and  violent  threats ; 
being  determined  that  force  should  extort  what  lenity  could  not 
effect.  The  youth,  finding  his  mother's  threats  to  be  very  harsh,  but 


OF    MASONRY.  96 

Mr.  Locke  has  made  several  judicious  observations  on 
the  answer  which  is  given  to  the  question  here  proposed. 
His  being  in  the  dark  concerning  the  meaning  of  the 
faculty  of  Abrac,  I  am  not  surprised  at,  nor  can  I  con- 

her  stripes  more  severe,  with  a  noble  and  heroic  spirit,  thus  endeavoured 
to  relieve  her  anxiety,  without  violating  his  fidelity : 

"  '  Madam,  you  may  well  blame  the  senate  for  their  long  sitting ;  at 
least,  for  presuming  to  call  in  question  a  case  so  truly  impertinent : 
except  the  wives  of  the  senators  are  allowed  to  consult  on  it,  there  can 
be  no  hope  of  a  conclusion.  I  speak  this  only  from  my  own  opinion: 
I  know  their  gravity  will  easily  confound  my  juvenile  apprehensions  ; 
yet.  whether  nature  or  duty  instructs  me  to  do  so,  I  cannot  tell.  It 
seems  necessary  to  them,  for  the  increase  of  people,  and  the  public 
good,  that  every  senator  should  be  allowed  two  wives ;  or  otherwise, 
their  wives  two  husbands.  I  shalj  hardly  incline  to  call,  under  one 
roof,  two  men  by  the  name  of  father ;  I  would  rather  with  cheerfulness 
salute  two  women  by  the  name  of  mother.  This  is  the  question, 
Madam,  and  to-morrow  it  is  to  be  determined.' 

"  His  mother,  hearing  this,  and  he  seeming  unwilling  to  reveal  it, 
she  took  it  for  an  infallible  truth.  Her  blood  was  quickly  fired,  and 
rage  ensued.  Without  inquiring  any  further  into  the  merits  of  the 
case,  she  immediately  despatched  messengers  to  all  the  other  ladies 
and  matrons  of  Rome,  to  acquaint  them  with  the  weighty  affair  under 
deliberation  in  the  senate,  which  so  nearly  concerned  the  peace  and 
welfare  of  their  whole  lives.  The  melancholy  news  soon  spread  a 
general  alarm,  and  many  conjectures  were  formed.  The  ladies,  re- 
solved to  give  their  assistance  in  the  decision  of  this  weighty  point, 
immediately  assembled.  Headed  by  young  Papjjhis's  mother,  next 
morning  they  proceeded  to  the  senate-house ;  and  though  it  is 
remarked,  that  a  parliament  of  women  is  seldom  governed  by  one 
speaker,  yet,  the  affair  being  urgent,  the  haste  pertinent,  and  the  case 
(on  their  behalf)  of  the  utmost  consequence,  the  revealing  woman 
must  speak  for  all  the  rest.  It  was  agreed  that  she  should  insist  on 
the  necessity  of  the  concurrence  of  the  senators'  wives  to  the  deter- 
mination of  a  law  in  which  they  were  so  particularly  interested. 
When,  they  came  to  the  door  of  the  senate-house,  such  a.  noise  was 
made  for  admission  to  sit  with  their  husbands  in  this  grand  consulta- 
tion, tnat  all  Rome  seemed  to  be  in  an  uproar.  Their  business,  how- 
ever, must  be  known  before  they  could  gain  an  a  idience.  This  being 
complied  with,  and  their  admission  granted,  such  an  elaborate  oration 
was  made  by  the  female  speaker  on  the  occasion,  in  behalf  of  her  sex, 
as  astonished  the  whole  senators.  She  requested,  that  the  matter 
might  not  be  hastily  determined,  but  be  seriously  canvassed,  according 
to  justice  and  equity;  and  expressed  the  determined  resolutions  of 
herself  and  her  sisters,  to  oppose  a  measure  so  unconstitutional  as  that 
of  permitting  one  husband  to  have  two  wives,  who  could  scarcely 
please  one.  She  proposed  in  the  name  of  her  sisters,  as  the  most 
effectual  way  of  peopling  the  state,  that  if  any  alteration  were  to  be 
made  in  the  established  custom  of  Rome,  women  might  be  permitted 
to  have  two  husbands.  The  senators  being  informed  of  Papyrus'a 
scheme  to  preserve  his  reputation,  and  the  riddle  being  publicly  solved, 
the  ladies  were  greatly  confounded,  and  departed  with  blushing  cheeks 


96  ILLUSTRATIONS 

oeive  how  he  could  otherwise  be.  ABRAC  is  an  abbre- 
viation of  the  word  ABRACADABRA.  In  the  days  of 
ignorance  and  superstition,  that  word  had  a  magical 
signification ;  but  the  explanation  of  it  is  now  lost.82 

while  the  noble  youth,  who  had  proved  himself  worthy  of  his  trust 
was  highly  commended  for  his  fidelity.  To  avoid  a  like  tumult  in 
future,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  custom  of  introducing  the  sons  of 
senators  should  be  abolished.  Papyrus,  however,  on  account  of  his 
attachment  to  his  word,  and  his  discreet  policy,  was  excepted  from 
this  restriction,  and  ever  afterwards  freely  admitted  into  the  senate- 
house,  where  many  honours  were  conferred  upon  him." 

The  virtue  and  fidelity  of  young  Papyrus  are,  indeed,  worthy  of 
imitation;  but  the  Masons  have  still  a  more  glorious  example,  in  their 
own  body,  of  a  brother,  accomplished  in  every  art,  who,  rather  than 
forfeit  his  honour,  or  betray  his  trust,  fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  cruel  hand 
of  a  barbarous  assassin. 

32  Mr.  Hutchinson,  in  his  ingenious  treatise,  entitled  The  Spirit  of 
Masonry,  gives  the  following  explanation  of  the  word  ABRAC  ;  which, 
as  it  is  curious,  I  shall  here  insert  in  that  gentleman's  own  words: 

"ABRAC,  or  ABRACAR,  was  a  name  which  Basilides,  a  religious  of 
the  second  century,  gave  to  God ;  who,  he  said,  was  the  author  of 
three  hundred  and  sixty-five. 

"The  author  of  this  superstition  is  said  to  have  lived  in  the  time  of 
Adrian,  and  that  it  had  its  name  after  ABRASAN,  or  ABRAXAS,  the 
denomination  which  Basrlides  gave  to  the  Deity.  He  called  him  the 
Supreme  God,  and  ascribed  to  him  seven  subordinate  powers  or  angels, 
who  presided  over  the  heavens :  and  also,  according  to  the  number  of 
the  days  in  the  yeflr,  held,  that  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  virtues, 
powers,  or  intelligences,  existed  as  the  emanations  of  God ;  the  value, 
or  numerical  distinction  of  the  letters  in  the  word,  according  to  the 
ancient  Greek  numerals,  made  365. 

A       B       P       A       X       A       S 
1       2     100     1       60       1      200 

"  Among  Antiquaries,  ABRAXAS  is  an  antique  gem,  or  stone,  with  the 
word  ABRAXAS  engraved  on  it.  There  are  a  great  many  kinds  of  them, 
of  various  figures  and  sizes,  mostly  as  old  as  the  third  century. 
Persons  professing  the  religious  principles  of  Basilides  wore  this  gem 
with  great  veneration  as  an  amulet,  from  whose  virtues,  and  the 
protection  of  the  Deity,  to  whom  it  was  consecrated,  and  with  whose 
name  it  was  inscribed,  the  wearer  derived  health,  prosperity,  and 
safety. 

"There  is  deposited  in  the  British  Museum  such  a  gem,  which  is  a 
besil  stone,  of  the  form  of  an  egg.  The  head  is  in  cameo,  the  reverse 
in  intaglio. 

"  In  church  history,  ABRAX  is  noted  as  a  mystical  term,  expressing 
the  Supreme  God ;  under  whom  the  Basilidians  supposed  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty-five  dependent  deities ;  it  was  the  principle  of  the 
Gnostic  hierarchy,  whence  sprang  their  multitudes  of  thaeons.  From 
ABRAXAS  proceeded  their  PRIMOGENIAL  MIND;  from  the  primogenial 
mind,  the  Locqs,  or  Word ;  from  the  Logos,  the  PHRON^ESIS,  or  Pru- 
dence; from  the  Phronaesis,  SOPHIA  and  DYNAMIS,  or  Wisdom  and 
Strength ;  from  these  two  proceeded  PRINCIPALITIES,  POWEFS.  and 


OF    MASONRY.  97 

Our  celebrated  annotator  has  taken  no  notice  of  the 
Masons  having  the  art  of  working  miracles,  and  foresaying 
things  to  come.  But  this  was  certainly  not  the  least 
important .  of  their  doctrines ;  hence  astrology  was 
admitted  as  one  of  the  arts  which  they  taught,  and 
the  study  of  it  was  warmly  recommended  in  former 
times. 

The  ancient  philosophers  applied  with  unwearied  dili- 
gence to  discover  the  aspects,  magnitudes,  distances, 
motions,  and  revolutions  of  the  heavenly  bodies;  and 
according  to  the  discoveries  they  made,  pretended  to 
foretel  future  events,  and  to  determine  concerning  the 
secrets  of  Providence.  This  study  afterwards  became  a 
regular  science.33 

ANGELS  ;  and  from  these,  other  angels,  to  the  number  of  three  hundred 
and  sixty-five,  who  were  supposed  to  have  the  government  of  so  many 
celestial  orbs  committed  to  their  care." 

33  Astrology,  however  vain  and  delusive  in  itself,  has  certainly 
proved  extremely  useful  to  mankind,  by  promoting  the  excellent  science 
of  astronomy.  The  vain  hope  of  reading  the  fates  of  men,  and  the 
success  of  their  designs,  has  been  one  of  the  strongest  motives  to  induce 
them,  in  all  countries,  to  an  attentive  observation  of  the  celestial 
bodies;  whence  they  have  been  taught  to  measure  time,  mark  the 
duration  of  seasons,  and  regulate  the  operations  of  Agriculture. 

The  science  of  astrology,  which  is  nothing  more  than  the  study  of 
Nature,  and  the  knowledge  of  the  secret  virtues  of  the  heavens,  is 
founded  on  Scripture,  and  confirmed  by  reason  and  experience.  Moses 
tells  us  that  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  were  placed  in  the  firmament  to 
be  for  signs  as  well  as  for  seasons.  We  find  the  Deity  thus  addressing 
Job.  "  Canst  thou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  the  Pleiades,  or  loose 
the  bands  of  Orion  ?"  We  are  instructed  in  the  book  of  Judges,  that 
"  they  fought  from  heaven ;  the  stars  in  their  courses  fought  against 
Sisera."  The  ancient  philosophers  were  unanimous  in  the  same 
opinion ;  and.  among  the  moderns,  we  may  cite  Lord  Bacon,  and 
several  others,  as  giving  it  a  sanction.  Milton  thus  expresses  himself 
on  the  subject: 

Of  planetary  notions  and  aspects 

In  scxtile,  square,  and  trine,  and  opposite, 

Of  noxious  efficacy,  and  when  to  join 

In  synod  unbenign,  and  taught  the  fixed 

Their  influence  malignant  when  to  shower,  dec. 

It  is  well  known,  that  inferior  animals,  and  even  birds  and  reptiles, 
have  a  foreknowledge  of  futurity  ;  and  surely  Nature  never  intended  to 
withhold  from  man  those  favours  which  she  has  so  liberally  bestowed 
on  the  raven,  the  cat,  and  the  sow.  No;  the  aches  in  our  limbs,  and 
the  shootings  of  our  corns,  before  a  tempest  or  a  shower,  evince  the 
contrary.  Man,  who  is  a  microcosm,  or  world  in  miniature,  unites  in 
himself  all  the  powers  and  qualities  which  are  scattered  throughout 
Nature,  and  discerns  from  certain  signs  the  future  contingencies  of  his 
6 


98  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page  83.  Wylle  he  teche  me  thay  same  artes?]  By 
the  answer  to  this  question,  we  learn  the  necessary 
qualifications  which  are  required  in  a  candidate  for  M;i- 
soriry — a  good  character,  and  an  able  capacity. 

Page  84.  Dothe  all  Maconnes  kunne  more  then  odher 
menne  ?]  The  answer  only  implies,  that  Masons  have  a 
better  opportunity  than  the  rest  of  mankind  to  improve 
in  useful  knowledge ;  though  a  want  of  capacity  in  some, 
and  of  application  in  others,  obstructs  the  progress  of 
many. 

Page  84.  Are  Magonnes  gudder  men  then  odjiers?] 
Masons  are  not  understood  to  be,  collectively,  more 
virtuous  in  their  lives  and  actions  than  other  men ;  but 
it  is  an  undoubted  fact,  that  a  strict  conformity  to  the 
rules  of  the  profession  may  make  them  better  men  than 
they  otherwise  would  be. 

Page  84.  Dothe  Maconnes  love  eidher  odher  mygh- 
tylye  as  beeth  sayde?]  The  answer  to  this  question  is 
truly  great,  and  is  judiciously  remarked  upon  by  the 
learned  annotator. 

By  the  answers  to  the  three  last  questions,  the  objec- 
tions of  cavillers  against  Masonry  are  amply  refuted ;  the 
excellency  of  the  institution  is  displayed  ;  and  every  cen- 
sure against  it,  on  account  of  the  transgressions  of  its 
professors,  entirely  removed.  A  bad  man,  if  his  character 
be  known,  can  never  be  enrolled  in  our  records;  and 
should  we  be  unwarily  led  to  receive  an  improper  object, 
then  our  endeavours  are  exerted  to  reform  him :  so  that, 
by  being  a  Mason,  it  is  probable  he  may  become  a  better 
subject  to  his  sovereign,  and  a  more  valuable  member  of 

being.  Finding  his  way  through  the  palpable  obscure  to  the  visible 
diurnal  and  nocturnal  sphere,  he  marks  the  presages  and  predictions 
of  his  happiness  or  misery.  The  mysterious  and  recondite  doctrine 
of  sympathies  in  Nature,  is  admirably  illustrated  from  the  sympathy 
between  the  moon  and  the  sea;  by  which  the  waters  of  the  ocean  are, 
in  a  certain  though  inconceivable  manner,  drawn  after  that  luminary. 
In  these  celestial  and  terrestrial  sympathies,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
vegetable  soul  of  the  world  transfers  a  specific  virtue  from  the  heavens 
to  the  elements,  to  animals,  and  to  man.  If  the  moon  alone  rules  the 
world  of  waters,  what  effects  must  the  combination  of  solar,  stellar, 
and  lunar  influences  have  upon  the  land?  In  short,  it  is  universally 
confessed,  that  astrology  is  the  mother  of  astronomy  ;  and  though  the 
daughter  may  have  rebelled  against  the  mother,  it  has  long  been  pre- 
dicted and  expected  that  the  venerable  authority  of  the  parent  would 
prevail  in  the  end. 


OF    MASONRY.  99 

society,  than  he  would  have  done  had  he  not  been  in  the 
way  of  those  advantages. 

To  conclude,  Mr.  Locke's  observations  on  the  whole 
of  this  curious  manuscript  deserve  a  serious  and  careful 
examination ;  and  though  he  was  not  at  the  time  one  of 
the  Brotherhood,  he  seems  pretty  clearly  to  have  com- 
prehended the  value  and  importance  of  the  system  which 
he  endeavoured  to  illustrate.  We  may,  therefore,  fairly 
conjecture,  that  the  favourable  opinion  which  he  con- 
ceived of  the  society  of  Masons  before  his  admission, 
was  sufficientlv  confirmed  after  his  initiation. 


100  ILLUSTRATIONS 


BOOK  IV. 


THE    HISTORY    OF    MASONRY    IN    ENGLAND,  JtC. 
SECTION    I. 

Masonry  early  introduced  into  England. — Account  of  the 
Druids. — Progress  of  Masonry  in  England  under  the 
Romans. — Masons  highly  favoured  by  St.  Alban. 

THE  history  of  Britain,  previous  to  the  invasion  of  the 
Romans,  is  so  mixed  with  fable,  as  not  to  afford  any 
satisfactory  account,  either  of  the  original  inhabitants  of 
the  island,  or  of  the  arts  practised  by  them.  It  appears, 
however,  from  the  writings  of  the  best  historians,  that 
they  were  not  destitute  of  genius  or  taste;  and  there  are 
yet  in  being  the  remains  of  some  stupendous  works  exe- 
cuted by  them  much  earlier  than  the  time  of  the  Romans; 
which,  though  defaced  by  time,  display  no  small  share 
of  ingenuity,  and  are  convincing  proofs  that  the  science 
of  Masonry  was  not  unknown  even  in  those  rude  ages. 

The  Druids  retained  among  them  many  usages  similar 
to  those  of  Masons  ;J  but  of  what  they  consisted,  at  this 
remote  period,  we  cannot  with  certainty  discover.  In 
conformity  to  the  ancient  practices  of  the  Fraternity, 
we  learn  that  they  held  their  assemblies  in  woods  and 
groves,2  and  observed  the  most  impenetrable  secrecy  in 

1  A  full  description  of  the  Druidical  ceremonies  may  be  found  in 
the  History  of  Initiation,  by  the  Editor. 

3  These  sacred  groves  were  usually  of  oak.  but,  in  Arabia,  some  of 
the  tribes  worshipped  the  ACACIA.  "  A  tree,"  says  Sale,  in  his  pre- 
liminary discourse  to  the  Koran  (sec.  1),  ''called 'the  Egyptian  thorn, 
or  acacia,  was  worshipped  by  the  tribes  of  Ghatf&n,  under  the  name 
of  AL  Uzza,  first  consecrated  by  one  Dh&lem.  who  built  a  chapel  over 
it,  called  Boss,  so  contrived  as  to  give  a  sound  when  any  person  en- 
tered. KMled  Ebn  Walid  being  sent  by  Mohammed,  in  the  eighth 
year  of  the  Hejira,  to  destroy  this  idol,  demolished  the  chapel,  and 


OF    MASONRY.  10J 

their  principles  and  opinions ;  a  circumstance  which  we 
have  reason  to  regret,  as  these,  being  known  only  to 
themselves,  must  have  perished  with  them. 

The  Druids  were  the  priests  of  the  Britons,  Gauls, 
and  other  Celtic  nations,  and  were  divided  into  three 
classes :  the  Bards,  who  were  poets  and  musicians,  formed 
the  first  class;  the  Vates,  who  were  priests  and  physi- 
ologists, composed  the  second  class;  arid  the  third  class 
consisted  of -the  Druids,  who  added  moral  philosophy  to 
the  study  of  physiology. 

As  study  and  speculation  were  the  favourite  pursuits 
of  those  philosophers,  it  has  been  suggested  that  they 
chiefly  derived  their 'system  of  government  from  Pytha- 
goras. Many  of  his  tenets  and  doctrines  seem  to  have 
been  adopted  by  them.  In  their  private  retreats,  they 
entered  into  a  disquisition  of  the  origin,  laws,  and  proper- 
ties of  matter,  the  form  and  magnitude  of  the  universe, 
and  even  ventured  to  explore  the  most  sublime  and 
hidden  secrets  of  Nature.  On  these  subjects  they  formed 
a  variety  of  hypotheses,  which  they  delivered  to  their 
disciples  in  verse,  in  order  that  they  might  be  more  easily 
retained  in  memory ;  and  administered  an  oath  not  to 
commit  them  to  writing. 

In  this  manner  the  Druids  communicated  their  particu- 
lar tenets  and  concealed  under  the  veil  of  mystery  every 
branch  of  useful  knowledge  ;3  which  tended  to  secure  to 

cutting  down  this  tree,  or  image,  burnt  it;  he  also  slew  the  priestess, 
who  ran  out,  with  her  hair  dishevelled,  and  her  hands  on  her  head,  as 
a  suppliant.  The  name  of  this  deity  is  derived  from  the  root  azza, 
and  signifies  Most  Mighty." — EDITOR. 

3  The  Druids,  however,  had  many  superstitious  usages,  somewhat 
allied  to  sorcery,  which  were  practised  to  overawe  the  people,  and 
keep  them  in  a  state  of  abject  subjection.  What  the  precise  nature 
of  these  practices  was,  we  are  not  correctly  informed ;  but  some  idea 
may  be  gathered  from  the  following  superstitions,  still  used  in  many 
parts  of  this  kingdom,  which  are  justly  referred  to  Druidical  origin. 
"Many  superstitions,"  I  quote  from  the  Introduction  to  Mey rick's 
Cardigan,  "  grew  into  importance,  from  the  peculiarity  of  some  cere- 
monies; such  as  cutting  the  mistletoe  with  a  golden  hook  by  the 
presiding  Druid ;  the  gathering  of  the  cowslip  and  other  plants,  con- 
secrated to  the  power  of  healing.  The  autumnal  fire  is  still  kindled 
in  North  Wales,  being  on  the  eve  of  the  first  day  of  November,  and  is 
attended  by  many  ceremonies,  such  as  running  through  the  fire  and 
Binoke,  each  casting  a  stone  into  the  fire,  and  all  running  oft'  at  the 
conclusion,  to  escape  from  the  black,  short-tailed  sow;  then  supping 
upon  parsnips,  nuts,  and  apples ;  catching  up  an  apple,  suspended  by 


102  ILLUSTRATIONS 

their  order  universal  admiration  and  respect,  while  the 
religious  instructions  propagated  by  them  were  every 
where  received  with  reverence  and  submission.  They 
were  entrusted  with  the  education  of  youth ;  and  from 
their  seminaries  issued  many  curious  and  valuable  pro- 
ductions. As  judges  of  law  they  determined  all  causes, 
ecclesiastical  and  civil ;  as  tutors,  they  taught  philoso- 
phy, astrology,  politics,  rites,  and  ceremonies;  and  as 
bards,  in  their  songs  they  recommended  the -heroic  deeds 
of  great  men  to  the  imitation  of  posterity. 

To  enlarge  on  the  usages  that  prevailed  among  those 
ancient  philosophers,  on  which  we  can  offer  at  best  but 
probable  conjectures,  would  be  a  needless  waste  of  time ; 
we  shall  therefore  leave  the  experienced  Mason  to  make 
his  own  reflections  on  the  affinity  of  their  practices  to  tlic 
rites  established  among  the  Fraternity,4  and  proceed  to  a 
disquisition  of  other  particulars  and  occurrences,  which 
are  better  authenticated,  and  of  more  importance. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  Romans  in  Britain,  arts  and  sci- 
ences began  to  flourish.  According  to  the  progress  of 
civilization,  Masunry  rose  into  esteem;  hence  we  find 
that  Caesar,  and  several  of  the  Roman  generals  who 
succeeded  him  in  the  government  of  this  island,  ranked 
themselves  as  patrons  and  protectors  of  the  Craft.  At 
this  period,  the  Fraternity  were  employed  in  erecting 
walls,  forts,  bridges,  cities,  temples-,  palaces,  courts  of 
justice,  and  other  stately  works;  but  history  is  silent 
respecting  their  mode  of  government,  and  affords  no 
information  with  regard  to  the  usages  and  customs  preva- 
lent among  them.  Their  lodges  or  conventions  were 
regularly  held;  but  being  open  only  to  the  initiated,  the 

a  string,  with  the  mouth  alone,  and  the  same  by  an  apple  with  a  tub 
of  water;  each  throwing  a  nut  into  the  fire,  and  those  that  burn 
bright  betoken  prosperity  to  the  owners  through  the  following  year, 
but  those  that  burn  black,  and  crackle,  denote  misfortune.  On  the 
following  morning^  the  stones  are  searched  for  in  the  fire,  and  if  any 
be  missing  they  betide  ill  to  those  who  threw  them  in.  Another 
remnant  of  Druidical  superstition,  with  which  we  are  well  acquainted, 
as  practised  all  over  England,  is  the  gathering  of  the  mistletoe  at 
Christmas;  and  many  others,  such  as  dancing  Found  the  Maypole. 
&o.,  may  be  traced  to  the  aberrations  from  their  original  doctrines. 
— EDITOR. 

4  A  careful  perusal  of  my  History  of  Initiation,  compared  with  the 
former  part  of  the  present  work,  will  satisfactorily  determine  this 
point. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  103 

legal  restraints  they  were  under  prevented  the  public 
communication  of  their  private  transactions. 

The  wars  which  afterwards  broke  out  between  the 
conquerors  and  conquered  considerably  obstructed  the 
progress  of  Masonry  in  Britain,  so  that  it  continued  in  a 
very  low  state  till  the  time  of  the  Emperor  Carausius, 
by  whom  it  was  revived  under  his  own  immediate  aus- 
pices. Having  shaken  oif  the  Roman  yoke,  he  contrived 
the  most  effectual  means  to  render  his  person  and  govern- 
ment acceptable  to  the  people;  and,  by  assuming  the 
character  of  a  Mason,  he  acquired  the  love  and  esteem 
of  the  most  enlightened  part  of  his  subjects.  He  pos- 
sessed real  merit,  encouraged  learning  and  learned  men, 
and  improved  the  country  in  the  civil  arts.  In  order  to 
establish  an  empire  in  Britain,  he  brought  into  his  domini- 
ons the  best  workmen  and  artificers  from  all  parts ;  all 
of  whom,  under  his  auspices,  enjoyed  peace  and  tranquil- 
lity. Among  the  first  class  of  his  favourites  he  enrolled 
the  Masons:  for  their  tenets  he  professed  the  highest 
veneration,  and  appointed  Albanus,  his  steward,  the 
principal  superintendent  of  their  assemblies.  Under  his 
patronage,  lodges  and  conventions  of  the  Fraternity  were 
formed,  and  the  rites  of  Masonry  regularly  practised. 
To  enable  the  Masons  to  hold  a  general  council  to  estab- 
lish their  own  government,  and  correct  errors  among 
themselves,  he  granted  to  them  a  charter,  and  commanded 
Albanus  to  preside  over  them  in  person  as  Grand  Master. 
This  worthy  knight  proved  a  zealous  friend  to  the  Craft, 
and  assisted  at  the  initiation  of  many  persons  into  the 
mysteries  of  the  Order.  To  this  council  the  name  of 
Assembly  was  afterwards  given.5 

Albanus  was  born  at  Verulam  (now  St.  Alban's,  ir 

5  An  old  MS.  which  was  destroyed,  with  many  others,  in  1720,  sale 
to  have  been  in  the  possession  of  Nicholas  Stone,  a  curious  sculptoi 
under  Inigo  Jones,  contained  the  following  particulars: 

"  Si.  Alban  loved  Masons  well,  and  cherished  them  much,  and  made 
their  pay  right  good ;  for  he  gave  them  ijs.  per  weeke.  and  iiijc?.  tc 
their  cheer  ;*  whereas,  before  that  time,  in  all  the  land,  a  Mason  had 
but  a  penny  a-day,  and  his  meat,  until  St.  Alban  mended  it.  And  he 
gott  them  a  charter  from  the  King  and  his  counsell  for  to  hold  a 
general  counsell,  and  gave  itt  to  name  Assemblie.  Thereat  he  was 
himselfe,  and  did  helpe  to  make  Masons,  and  gave  them  good  charges." 

*  A  MS.,  written  in  the  reign  of  James  II.,  before  cited  in  this  volume  (p.  68),  containa 
an  account  of  this  circumstance,  and  increases  the  weekly  pay  to  3s.  frl.  and  3d.  a-day 
for  the  bearers  of  burdens. 


104  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Hertfordshire),  of  a  noble  family.  In  his  youth  he  travel 
led  to  Rome,  where  he  served  seven  years  under  the 
Emperor  Diocletian.  On  his  return  home,  by  the  exam- 
ple and  persuasion  of  Amphibalus  of  Caerleon  (now 
Chester),  who  had  accompanied  him  in  his  travels,  he 
was  converted  to  the  Christian  faith ;  and,  in  the  tenth 
and  last  persecution  of  the  Christians,  was  beheaded  A.D. 
303. 

St.  Alban  was  the  first  who  suffered  martyrdom  for  the 
Christian  religion  in  Britain,  of  which  the  Venerable 
Bede  gives  the  following  account: — The  Roman  governor 
having  been  informed  that  St.  Alban  harboured  a  Chris- 
tian in  his  house,  sent  a  party  of  soldiers  to  apprehend 
Amphibalus.  St.  Alban  immediately  put  on  the  habit 
of  his  guest,6  and  presented  himself  to  the  officers. 
Being  carried  before  a  magistrate,  he  behaved  with  such 
manly  freedom,  and  so  powerfully  supported  the  cause 
of  his  friend,  that  he  not  only  incurred  the  displeasure 
of  the  judge,  but  brought  upon  himself  the  punishment 
above  specified. 

The  old  Constitutions  affirm,  that  St.  Alban  was 
employed  by  Carausius,  to  environ  the  city  of  Verulum 
with  a  wall,  and  to  build  for  him  a  splendid  palace ;  and 
that  to  reward  his  diligence  in  executing  these  works, 
the  Emperor  appointed  him  steward  of  his  household, 
and  chief  ruler  of  the  realm.  However  this  may  be, 
from  the  corroborating  testimonies  of  ancient  historians, 
we  are  assured  that  this  knight  was  a  celebrated  archi- 
tect, and  a  real  encourager  of  able  workmen ;  it  cannot, 
therefore,  be  supposed  that  Freemasonry  would  be  neg- 
lected under  so  eminent  a  patron. 

6  The  garment  which  Alban  wore  upon  this  occasion  was  called  a 
Caracalla ;  it  was  a  kind  of  cloke  with  a  cowl,  resembling  the  vest- 
im-iit  of  the  Jewish  priests.  Walsingham  relates,  that  it  was  preserved 
in  a  large  chest  in  the  church  of  Ely,  which  was  opened  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  II.,  A.D.  1314;  and  Thomas  Rudburn.  another  writer  of 
equal  authority,  confirms  this  relation;  and  adds,  that  there  was 
found,  with  his  garment,  an  old  writing  in  these  words :  "  This  is  the 
Caracalla  of  St.  Amphibalus.  the  monk  and  preceptor  of  St.  Alban;  in 
which  that  proto-martyr  of  England  suffered  death,  under  the  cruel 
persecution  of  Diocletian  against  the  Christians  " 


OF    MASONRY.  106 

SECTION  II. 

History  of  Masonry  in   England  under  St.  Austin,  King 
Alfred^  Edward,  Athelstane,  Edgar,  Edward  the  Confessor 
William  the  Conqueror,  Henry  L,  Stephen,  and  Henry  II. 
and  also  under  the  Knights  Templars. 

AFTER  the  departure  of  the  Romans  from  Britain, 
Masonry  made  but  a  slow  progress,  and  was  almost 
totally  neglected,  on  account  of  the  irruptions  of  the 
Picts  and  Scots,  which  obliged  the  southern  inhabitants 
of  the  island  to  solicit  the  assistance  of  the  Saxons,  in 
order  to  repel  these  invaders.  As  the  Saxons  increased, 
the  native  Britons  sunk  into  obscurity,  and  -ere  long 
yielded  the  superiority  to  their  protectors,  acknowledging 
their  sovereignty  and  jurisdiction.  These  rough  and  igno- 
rant heathens,  despising  every  thing  but  war,  soon  put 
a  finishing  stroke  to  all  the  remains  of  ancient  learning 
which  had  escaped  the  fury  of  the  Picts  and  Scots.  They 
continued  their  depredations  with  unrestrained  rigour, 
till  the  arrival  of  some  pious  teachers  from  Wales  and 
Scotland;  when,  many  of  these  savages  being  reconciled 
to  Christianity,  Masonry  got  into  repute,  and  lodges  were 
again  formed  ;7  but  these,  being  under  the  direction  of 
foreigners,  were  seldom  convened,  and  never  attained  to 
any  degree  of  consideration  or  importance. 

Masonry  continued  in  a  declining  state  till  the  year 
557,  when  Austin,  with  forty  more  monks,  among  whom 
the  sciences  had  been  preserved,  came  into  England. 
Austin  was  commissioned  by  Pope  Gregory  to  baptize 
Ethelbert,  king  of  Kent,  who  appointed  him  the  first 
archbishop  of  Canterbury.  This  monk  and  his  associates 

Eropagated  the  principles  of  Christianity  among  the  in- 
abitants  of  Britain;  and  by  their  influence,  in  little 
more  than  sixty  years,  all  the  kings  of  the  Heptarchy 
were  converted.  Masonry  flourished  under  the  patronage 
of  Austin,  and  many  foreigners  came  into  England,  who 
introduced  the  Gothic  style  of  building.  Austin  seems 
to  have  been  a  zealous  encourager  of  architecture,  and 
appeared  at  the  head  of  the  Fraternity  in  founding  the 
old  cathedral  of  Canterbury  in  600,  and  the  cathedral  of 

7  See  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  edit.  1784,  p.  90. ..*  '•  y  *'«»^ 

A*  \  ™  "  A  ft  F*\^ 

W  OF  TMI    r    \ 

UNIVERSITY  1 


106  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Rochester  in  602;  St.  Paul's,  London,  in  604;  St.  Peter's, 
Westminster,  in  605 ;  and  many  others.8  Several  places 
and  castles  were  built  under  his  auspices,  as  well  as  other 
fortifications  on  the  borders  of  the  kingdom,  which  very 
considerably  increased  the  number  of  Masons  in  England. 

Some  expert  brethren,  who  had  arrived  from  France  in 
680,  formed  themselves  into  a  Lodge  under  the  direction 
of  Bennet,  Abbot  of  Wirral,  who  was  soon  after  appointed 
by  Kenred,  king  of  Mercia,  inspecter  of  the  lodges,  and 
general  superintendent  of  the  Masons. 

During  the  Heptarchy,  Masonry  continued  in  a  low 
state ;  bat  in  the  year  856,  it  revived  under  the  patronage 
of  St.  Swithin,  who  was  employed  by  Ethelwolph,  the 
Saxon  king,  to  repair  some  pious  houses;  and  from  that 
time  it  gradually  improved  till  the  reign  of  Alfred,  A.  D. 
872;  when,  in  the  person  of  that  prince,  it  found  a  zeal- 
ous protector. 

Masonry  has  generally  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of 
learning ;  the  patrons  and  encouragers  of  the  latter  having 
been  most  remarkable  for  cultivating  and  promoting  the 
former.  No  prince  studied  more  to  polish  and  improve 
the  understandings  of  his  subjects  than  Alfred,9  arid  no 
one  ever  proved  a  better  friend  to  Masoniy.  By  his  in- 
defatigable assiduity  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  his 
example  had  powerful  influence  in  reforming  the  dissolute 
and  barbarous  manners  of  his  people. 

As  this  prince  was  not  negligent  in  giving  encourage- 
ment to  the  mechanical  arts,  Masonry  claimed  a  great 
part  of  his  attention.  He  invited,  from  all  quarters, 

8  See  the  Monasticon  Anglicanum. 

9  Hume,  in  his  History  of  England,  relates  the  following  particulars 
of  this  celebrated  prince : 

"  Alfred  usually  divided  his  time  into  three  equal  portions :  one  was 
employed  in  sleep,  and  the  refection  of  his  body  by  diet  and  exercise ; 
another,  in  the  despatch  of  business ;  and  a  third  in  study  and  devo- 
tion. That  he  might  more  exactly  measure  the  hours,  he  made  use 
of  burning  tapers  of  equal  lengths,  which  he  fixed  in  lanterns ;  an 
expedient  suited  to  that  rude  age,  when  the  art  of  describing  sun-dials, 
and  the  mechanism  of  clocks  and  watches,  were  totally  unknown.  By 
this  regular  distribution  of  time,  though  he  often  laboured  under  great 
bodily  infirmities,  this  martial  hero,  who  fought  in  person  fifty-six 
battles  by  sea  and  land%  was  able,  during  a  life  of  no  extraordinary 
length,  to  acquire  more  knowledge,  and  even  to  compose  more  books, 
than  most  studious  men,  blessed  with  greater  leisure  and  application^ 
have  done  in  more  fortunate  ages." 


OF    MASONRY.  107 

industrious  foreigners  to  repeople  his  country,  which  had 
been  desolated  by  the  ravages  of  the  Danes,  and  introduced 
and  encouraged  manufactures  of  all  kinds  among  them. 
No  inventor  or  improver,  of  any  ingenious  art,  did  he 
suffer  to  go  unrewarded;  and  he  appropriated  a  seventh 
part  of  his  revenue  to  maintain  a  number  of  workmen, 
whom  he  constantly  employed  in  rebuilding  his  ruined 
cities,  castles,  palaces,  and  monasteries.  The  University 
of  Oxford  was  founded  by  him. 

On  the  death  of  Alfred  in  900,  Edward  succeeded  to 
the  throne ;  during  whose  reign  the  Masons  continued  tc 
hold  their  Lodges  under  the  sanction  of  Ethred,  his  sis- 
ter's husband,  and  Ethelward,  his  brother,  to  whom  the 
care  of  the  Fraternity  had  been  intrusted.  Ethelward 
was  a  prince  of  great  learning,  and  an  able  architect :  he 
founded  the  University  of  Cambridge. 

Edward  died-  in  924,  and  was  succeeded  by  Athelstane 
his  son,  who  appointed  his  brother  Edwin  patron  of  the 
Masons.  This  prince  procured  a  charter  from  Athelstane, 
empowering  them  to  meet  annually  in  communication 
at  York;  where  the  first  Grand  Lodge  of  England  was 
formed  in  926,  at  which  Edwin  presided  as  Grand  Master. 
Here,  many  old  writings  were  produced  in  Greek,  Latin, 
and  other  languages,  from  which  the  Constitutions  of  the 
English  Lodges  are  derived.10 

10  A  record  of  the  society,  written  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.,  said 
to  have  been  in  the  possession  of  the  famous  Elias  Ashmole,  founder 
of  the  Museum  at  Oxford,  and  which  was  unfortunately  destroyed 
with  other  papers  on  the  subject  of  Masonry,  at  the  Revolution,  gives 
the  following  account  of  the  state  of  Masonry  at  this  period : 

"  That,  though  the  ancient  records  of  the  Brotherhood  in  England 
were  many  of  them  destroyed,  or  lost  in  the  wars  of  the  Saxons  and 
Danes,  yet  King  Athelstane  (the  grandson  of  King  Alfrede  the  Great, 
a  mighty  architect),  the  first  anointed  king  of  England,  and  who 
translated  the  Holy  Bible  into  the  Saxon  tongue  (A.D.  930),  when  he 
had  brought  the  land  into  rest  and  peace,  built  many  great  works,  and 
encouraged  many  Masons  from  France,  who  were  appointed  overseers 
thereof,  and  brought  with  them  the  charges  and  regulations  of  the 
Lodges,  preserved  since  the  Roman  times;  who  also  .prevailed  with 
the  king  to  improve  the  constitution  of  the  English  Lodges  according 
to  the  foreign  model,  and  to  increase  the  wages  of  working  Masons. 

"  That  the  said  king's  brother.  Prince  Edwin,  being  taught  Masonry, 
and  taking  upon  him  the  charges  of  a  Master  Mason,  for  the  love  he 
had  to  the  said  Craft,  and  the  honourable  principles  whereon  it  is 
grounded,  purchased  a  free  charter  of  King  Athelstane  for  the  Masons 
having  a  correction  among  themselves  (as  it  was  anciently  expressed) 


108  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Athelstane  kept  his  court  for  some  time  at  York,  where 
he  received  several  embassies  from  foreign  princes,  with 
rich  presents  of  various  kinds.  He  was  loved,  honoured, 
and  admired  by  all  the  princes  of  Europe,  who  courted 
his  friendship  and  alliance.  He  was  a  mild  sovereign,  a 
kind  brother,  and  a  true  friend.  The  only  blemish  which 
historians  find  in  his  whole  reign,  is  the  supposed  murder 

or  a  freedom  and  power  to  regulate  themselves,  to  amend  what  might 
happen  amiss,  and  to  hold  a  yearly  communication  and  general  assem 
bly. 

"That,  accordingly,  Prince  Edwin  summoned  all  the  Masons  in  the 
realm  to  meet  him  in  a  congregation  at  York,  who  came  and  composed 
a  general  Lodge,  of  which  he  was  Grand  Master;  and  having  brought 
with  them  all  the  writings  and  records  extant,  some  in  Greek,  some 
in  Latin,  some  in  French,  and  other  languages,  from  the  contents 
thereof  that  assembly  did  frame  the  Constitution  and  Charges  of  an 
English  Lodge,  made  a  law  to  preserve  and  observe  the  same  in  all  time 
coming,  and  ordained  good  pay  for  working  Masons."  &c. 

From  this  era  we  date  the  re-establishment  of  Freemasonry  in 
England.  There  is  at  present  a  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  the  city 
of  York,  who  trace  their  existence  from  this  period.  By  virtue 
of  Edwin's  charter,  it  is  said,  all  the  Masons  in  the  realm  were  con- 
vened at  a  general  assembly  in  that  city,  where  they  established  a 
general  or  grand  Lodge  for  their  future  government.  Under  the 
patronage  and  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  it  is  alleged,  the  Fra- 
ternity considerably  increased ;  and  kings,  princes,  and  other  eminent 
persons  who  had  been  initiated  into  Masonry,  paid  due  allegiance  to 
that  Grand  Assembly.  But,  as  the  events  of  the  times  were  various 
and  fluctuating,  that  assembly  was  more  or  less  respectable ;  and,  in 
proportion  as  Masonry  obtained  encouragement,  its  influence  was  more 
or  less  extensive.  The  appellation  of  Ancient  York  Masons  is  well 
known  in  Ireland  and  Scotland  ;  and  the  universal  tradition  is,  that  the 
brethren  of  that  appellation  originated  at  Auldby.  near  York.  This 
carries  with  it  some  marks  of  confirmation ;  for  Auldby  was  the  seat 
of  Edwin. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  York  was  deemed  the  original 
seat  of  masonic  government  in  this  country  ;  no  other  place  has  pre- 
tended to  claim  it;  and  the  whole  Fraternity  have,  at  various  times, 
universally  acknowledged  allegiance  to  the  authority  established  there  : 
but  whether  the  present  association  in  that  city  be  entitled  to  the  alle- 
giance, is  a  subject  of  inquiry  which  it  is  not  my  province  to  investi- 
gate. To  that  assembly  recourse  must  be  had  for  information.  Thus 
much,  however,  is  certain,  that  if  a  General  Assembly  or  Grand  Lodge 
was  held  there,  (of  which  there  is  little  doubt,  if  we  can  rely  on  our 
records  and  constitutions,  as  it  is  said  to  have  existed  there  in  Queen 
Elizabeth's  time.)  there  is  no  evidence  of  its  regular  removal  to  any 
other  place  in  the  kingdom  ;  and  upon  that  ground,  the  brethren  at 
York  may  probably  claim  the  privilege  of  associating  in  that  character. 
A  number  of  respectable  meetings  of  the  Fraternity  appear  to  have 
been  convened  at  sundry  times  in  different  parts  of  England ;  but  we 
wo  cannot  find  an  instance  on  record,  till  a  veiy  late  period,  of  a 


OF    MASONRY.  109 

of  his  brother  Edwin.  This  youth,  who  was  distinguished 
for  his  virtues,  having  died  two  years  before  his  brother, 
a  false  report  was  spread,  of  his  being  wrongfully  put  to 
death  by  him.  But  this  is  so  improbable  in  itself,  so 
inconsistent  with  the  character  of  Athelstane,  and,  indeed, 
so  slenderly  attested,  as  to  be  undeserving  a  place  in 
history.11 

general  meeting  (so  called)  being  held  in  any  other  place  beside 
York. 

To  understand  this  matter  more  clearly,  it  may  be  necessary  to 
advert  to  the  original  institution  of  that  assembly  called  a  General  or 
Grand  Lodge.  It  was  not  then  restricted,  as  it  is  now  understood 
to  be,  to  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  private  Lodges,  with  the  Grand 
Master  and  his  wardens  at  their  head  ;  it  consisted  of  as  many  of  the 
Fraternity  at  large,  as,  being  within  a  convenient  distance,  could  at- 
tend, once  or  twice  in  a  year,  under  the  auspices  of  one  general  head, 
who  was  elected  and  installed  at  one  of  these  meetings ;  and  who,  for 
the  time  being,  received  homage  as  the  sole  governor  of  the  whole 
body.  The  idea  of  confining  the  privileges  of  Masonry,  by  a  warrant 
of  constitution,  to  certain  individuals  convened  on  certain  days  at 
certain  places,  had  then  no  existence.  There  was  but  one  family 
among  Masons,  and  every  Mason  was  a  branch  of  that  family.  It  is 
true,  the  privileges  of  the  different  degrees  of  the  Order  always  cen- 
tred in  certain  members  of  the  Fraternity ;.  who,  according  to  their 
advancement  in  the  art,  were  authorized  by  the  ancient  charges  to 
assemble  in,  hold,  and  rule  Lodges,  at  their  will  and  discretion,  in  such 
places  as  best  suited  their  convenience,  and  when  so  assembled,  to 
receive  pupils  and  deliver  instructions  in  the  Art;  but  all  the  tribute 
from  these  individuals,  separately  and  collectively,  rested  ultimately  in 
the  General  Assembly,  to  which  all  the  fraternity  might  repair,  and  to 
whose  award  all  were  bound  to  pay  submission. 

11  The  excellent  writer  of  the  life  of  King  Athelstane*  has  given  so 
clear  and  so  perfect  a  view  of  this  event,  that  the  reader  cannot  receive 
greater  satisfaction  than  in  that  author's  own  words : 

"  The  business  of  Edwin's  death  is  a  point  the  most  obscure  in  the 
story  of  this  king ;  and  to  say  the  truth,  not  one  even  of  our  best  his- 
torians hath  written  clearly,  or  with  due  attention,  concerning  it.  The 
fact,  as  commonly  received,  is  this :  The  king,  suspecting  his  younger 
brother.  Edwin,  of  designing  to  deprive  him  of  his  crown,  caused  him, 
notwithstanding  his  protestations  of  innocency,  to  be  put  on  board  a 
leaky  ship,  with  his  armour-bearer  and  page.  The  young  prince,  un- 
ible  to  bear  the  severity  of  the  weather  and  want  of  food,  desperately 
irowned  himself.  Some  time  after,  the  king's  cup-bearer,  who  had  been 
the  chief  cause  of  this  act  of  cruelty,  happened,  as  he  was  serving  the 
king  at  table,  to  trip  with  one  foot,  but  recovering  himself  with  the 
other,  '  See,'  said  he,  pleasantly.  '  how  brothers  afford  each  other  help;' 
which  striking  the  king  with  the  remembrance  of  what  himself  had 
done,  in  taking  off  Edwin,  who  might  have  helped  him  in  his  wars,  he 
caused  that  business  to  be  more  thoroughly  examined ;  and  finding 

*  Biog.  Brit.,  vol.  1.,  p.  63, 1st  edit. 


110  ILLUSTRATIONS 

'  The  activity  and  princely  conduct  of  Edwin  qualified 
him,  in  every  respect,  to  preside  over  the  Masons  whc 
were  employed  under  him  in  repairing  and  building 
many  churches  and  superb  edifices,  which  had  been 
destroyed  by  the  ravages  of  the  Danes,  and  other  invad- 
ers, not  only  in  the  city  of  York,  but  at  Beverley,  and 
other  places. 

On  the  death  of  Edwin,  Athelstane  undertook  in 
person  the  direction  of  the  Lodges ;  and  under  his  sanc- 
tion the  art  of  Masonry  was  propagated  in  peace  and 
security. 

When  Athelstane  died,  the  Masons  dispersed,  and  the 
Lodges  continued  in  a  very  unsettled  state  till  the  reign 

his  brother  had  been  falsely  accused,  caused  his  cup-bearer  to  be  put 
to  a  cruel  death,  endured  himself  seven  years'  sharp  penance,  and 
built  the  two  monasteries  of  Middleton  and  Michelnees,  to  atone  for 
this  base  and  bloody  act."* 

Dr.  Howel,  speaking  of  this  story,  treats  it  as  if  very  indifferently 
founded,  and,  on  .that  account,  unworthy  of  credit.f  Simeon  of  Dur- 
ham and  the  Saxon  Chronicle  say  no  more  than  that  Edwin  was 
drowned  by  his  brother's  command  in  the  year  933.J  Brompton 
places  it  in  the  first,  or,  at  farthest,  in  the  second  year  of  his  reign : 
and  he  tells  us  the  story  of  the  rotten  ship,  and  of  his  punishing  the 
cup-bearer.§  William  of  Malmsbury.  who  is  very  circumstantial,  says 
he  only  tells  us  what  he  heard  :|j  but  Matthew  the  Flower-gatherer U 
stamps  the  whole  down  as  an  indubitable  truth.  Yet  these  discordui it 
dates  are  not  to  be  accounted  for.  If  he  was  drowned  in  the  second 
he  could  not  be  alive  in  the  tenth  year  of  the  king ;  the  first  is  the 
more  probable  date,  because  about  that  time  there  certainly  was  a 
conspiracy  against  King  Athelstane,  in  order  to  dethrone  him,  and  put 
out  his  eyes  ;  yet  he  did  not  put  the  author  of  it  to  death  ;  is  it  likely, 
then,  that  he  should  order  his  brother  to  be  thrown  into  the  sea  upon 
bare  suspicion  ?  But  the  reader  must  remember,  that  we  cite  the  same 
historians  who  have  told  us  this  story  to  prove  that  Athelstane  was 
unanimously  acknowledged  king,  his  brethren  being  too  young  to 
govern ;  one  would  think,  then,  that  they  could  not  be  old  enough  to 
sonspire.  If  we  take  the  second  date,  the  whole  story  is  destroyed ; 
the  king  could  not  do  seven  years'  penance,  for  he  did  not  live  so  long  ; 
and  as  for  the  tale  of  the  cup-bearer,  and  his  stumbling  at  the  king's 
table,  the  same  story  is  told  of  Earl  Godwin,  who  murdered  the  bro- 
ther of  Edward  the  Confessor.  Lastly,  nothing  is  clearer  from  his- 
tory, than  that  Athelstane  was  remarkably  kind  to  his  brothers  and 
sisters,  for  whose  sakes  he  lived  single,  and  therefore  his  brother  had 
less  temptation  to  conspire  against  him. 

*  Speed's  Chronicle,  book  vil.,  chap.  38. 

t  Gen.  Hist.,  P.  iv..  c.  2..  s.  10. 

I  Simeon  Dunelm,  p.  154.    Chron.  Saxon,  p.  11L, 

§  Chronicon..  p.  828. 

1  De  Guest,  R.  A.  lib.  ii. 

1  Matth.  Florileg. 


OF    MASONRY.  Ill 

of  Edgar  in  960,  when  the  Fraternity  were  again  col- 
lected by  St.  Dunstan,  under  whose  auspices  they  were 
employed  on  some  pious  structures ;  but  it  does  not 
appear  that  they  met  with  any  permanent  encourage- 
ment. 

After  Edgar's  death,  Masonry  remained  in  a  low  con- 
dition upwards  of  fifty  years.  In  1041,  it  revived  under 
the  patronage  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  who  superin- 
tended the  execution  of  several  great  works.  He  rebuilt 
Westminster  Abbey,  assisted  by  Leofrick,  Earl  of  Coven- 
try, whom  he  appointed  to  superintend  the  Masons. 
The  Abbey  of  Coventry,  and  many  other  structures,  were 
finished  by  this  accomplished  architect. 

William  the  Conqueror  having  acquired  the  crown  of 
England  in  1066,  he  appointed  Gundulph,  Bishop  of 
Rochester,  and  Roger  de  Montgomery,  Earl  of  Shrews- 
bury, joint  patrons  of  the  Masons,  who  at  this  time 
excelled  both  in  civil  and  military  architecture.  Under 
their  auspices  the  Fraternity  were  employed  in  building 
the  Tower  of  London,  which  was  completed  in  the  reign 
of  William  Rufus,  who  rebuilt  London  Bridge  with  wood, 
and  first  constructed  the  palace  and  hall  of  Westminster 
in  1087. 

On  the  accession  of  Henry  I.  the  Lodges  continued  to 
assemble.  From  this  prince,  the  first  Magna  Charta,  or 
charter  of  liberties,  was  obtained  by  the  Normans. 
Stephen  succeeded  Henry  in  1135,  and  employed  the 
Fraternity  in  building  a  chapel  at  Westminster,  now  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  several  other  works.  These 
were  finished  under  the  direction  of  Gilbert  de  Clare, 
Marquis  of  Pembroke,  who  at  this  time  presided  over 
the  Lodges. 

During  the  reign  of  Henry  II.  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
Knights  Templars  superintended  the  Masons,  and  em- 
ployed them  in  building  their  Temple  in  Fleet  street, 
A.D.  1155.  Masonry  continued  under  the  patronage  of 
this  order  till  the  year  1199,  when  John  succeeded  his 
brother  Richard  on  the  throne  of  England.  Peter  de 
Colechurch  was  then  appointed  Grand  Master.  He  began 
to  rebuild  London  Bridge  with  stone,  which  was  after- 
wards finished  by  William  Alcmain  in  1209.  Peter  de 
Rupibus  succeeded  Peter  de  Colechurch  in  the  office  of 
Grand  Master,  and  GeoiTrey  Fitz-Peter,  chief  surveyoi 


J 12  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  the  king's  works,  acted  as  his  deputy.  Under  the 
auspices  of  these  two  artists,  Masonry  flourished  in 
England  during  the  remainder  of  this  and  the  following 
reign. 


SECTION  III. 

History  of  Masonry  in  England,  during  the  — ~^.,~  v 
Henry  III.,  Edward  I.,  Edward  II.,  Edward  III., 
Richard  II.,  Henry  IF,  Henry  F.,  and  Henry  VI. 

ON  the  accession  of  Edward  I.,  A.D.  1272,  the  care  of 
the  Masons  was  entrusted  to  Walter  Giffard,  Archbishop 
of  York;  Gilbert  de  Clare,  Earl  of  Gloucester;  and 
Ralph,  Lord  of  Mount  Hermer,  the  progenitor  of  the 
family  of  the  Montagues.  These  architects  superintended 
the  finishing  of  Westminster  Abbey,  which  had  been 
begun  in  1220,  during  the  minority  of  Henry  III. 

The  collegiate  chapel  of  Westminster,  in  honour  of  St. 
Stephen,  was  begun  to  be  rebuilt  by  King  Edward ;  at 
which  the  Masons  were  employed  more  than  two 
years.12 

That  the  building  of  this ,  chapel  was  completed  we 
are  not  informed ;  but  we  learn  from  Stowe,  that  a  great 
fire  broke  out  in  the  lesser  hall  of  the  royal  palace  at 
Westminster,  which  communicated  to  the  adjoining 
monastery,  and  consumed  the  whole.  It  does  not  appear 
that  the  building  was  restored  during  this  reign,  as  the 
wars  in  Scotland,  in  which  the  king  was  engaged,  did 
not  allow  him  leisure  to  renew  his  labours ;  nor  had  he 
sufficient  wealth  to  carry  on  such  a  work. 

In  the  reign  of  Edward  II.  the  Fraternity  were 
employed  in  building  Exeter  and  Oriel  Colleges,  Oxford ; 

12  In  the  Exchequer  rolls  is  preserved  a  curious  account  of  the 
expenses  incurred  on  that  occasion.  It  appears,  that  the  daily  pay  of 
the  carpenters  was  5d. ;  that  of  the  other  workmen  3£rf.,  3rf.,  and 
2$d.  Although  the  weekly  expenses  were  but  trifling,  the  amount  of 
the  whole  was  considerable. 

Thomas  of  Canterbury.  Master  Mason,  is  supposed  to  have  been  the 
principal  architect ;  and  Hugh  dc  St.  Albans,  and  John  de  Cotton, 
were  the  chief  painters,  and  had  the  highest  wages,  viz.,  a  shilling  a 
day. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  113 

Clare-hall,  Cambridge ;  and  many  other  structures , 
under  the  auspices  of  Walter  Stapleton,  Bishop  of 
Exeter,  who  had  been  appointed  Grand  Master  in  1307. 
Masonry  flourished  in  England  during  the  reign  of 
Edward  III.,  who  became  the  patron  of  science,  and  the 
encourager  of  learning.  He  applied  with  indefatigable 
assiduity  to  the  Constitutions  of  the  Order ;  revised  and 
meliorated  the  Ancient  Charges,  and  added  several  useful 
regulations  to  the  original  code  of  laws.13  He  patronized 
the  Lodges,  and  appointed  tive  deputies  under  him  to 
inspect  the  proceedings  of  the  Fraternity;  viz.  1.  John 
de  Spoulee,  who  rebuilt  St.  George's  chapel  at  Windsor, 


13  An  old  record  of  the  Society  runs  thus: 

"In  the  glorious  reign  of  King  Edward  III.,  when  Lodges  were 
more  frequent,  the  Right  Worshipful  the  Master  and  Fellgws,  with 
consent  of  the  lords  of  the  realm  (for  most  great  men  were  then 
Masons),  ordained: 

"  That,  for  the  future,  at  the  making  or  admission  of  a  brother,  the 
Constitution  and  the  Ancient  Charges  should  be  read  by  the  Master 
or  Warden. 

"  That  such  as  were  to  be  admitted  Master-Masons,  or  masters  of 
work,  should  be  examined  whether  they  be  able  of  cunning  to  serve 
their  respective  lords,  as  well  the  lowest  as  the  highest,  to  the  honour 
and  worship  of  the  aforesaid  art.  and  to  the  profit  of  their  lords ;  for 
they  be  their  lords  that  employ  and  pay  them  for  their  service  and 
travel." 

The  following  particulars  are  also  contained  in  a  very  old  MS.  of 
which  a  copy  is  said  to  have  been  in  possession  of  the  late  George 
Payne.  Esq.,  Grand  Master  in  1718: 

"  That,  when  the  Master  and  Wardens  meet  in  a  Lodge,  if  need  be, 
the  sheriff  of  the  county,  or  the  mayor  of  the  city,  or  alderman  of  the 
town,  in  which  the  congregation  is  held,  should  be  made  fellow  and 
sociate  to  the  Master,  in  help  of  him  against  rebels,  and  for  upbearing 
the  rights  of  the  realm. 

"  That  entered  prentices,  at  their  making,  were  charged  not  to  be 
thieves  or  thieves'  maintainers ;  that  they  should  travel  honestly  for 
their  pay,  and  love  their  fellows  as  themselves,  and  be  true  to  the 
king  of  England,  and  to  the  realm,  and  to  the  Lodge. 

"  That,  at  such  congregations,  it  shall  be  inquired,  ^  whether  any 
master  or  fellow  has  broke  any  of  the  articles  agreed  to ;  and  if  the 
offender,  being  duly  cited  to  appear,  prove  rebel,  and  will  not  attend, 
then  the  Lodge  shall  determine  against  him,  that  he  shall  forswear  (or 
renounce)  his  Masonry,  and  shall  no  more  use  this  craft ;  the  which 
if  he  presume  for  to  do,  the  sheriff  of  the  county  shall  prison  him,  and 
take  all  his  goods  into  the  king's  hands,  till  his  grace  be  granted  him 
and  issued.  For  this  cause  principally  have  these  congregations  been 
ordained,  that  as  well  the  lowest  as  the  highest  should  be  well  and 
truly  served  in  this  art  aforesaid,  throughout  all  the  kingdom  of  Eng- 
land. Amen,  so  mote  it  be  !  " 


114  ILLUSTRATIONS 

where  the  order  of  the  garter  was  first  instituted,  A.D 
1350;  2.  William  aWykeham,  afterwards  bishop  of  Win 
Chester,  who  rebuilt  the  castle  of  Windsor,  at  the  head 
of  400  Freemasons,  A.D.  1357;  3.  Robert  a  Barnham, 
who  finished  St.  George's  Hall  at  the  head  of  250  Free- 
masons, with  other  works  in  the  castle,  A.D.  1375;  4. 
Henry  Yeuele,  (called  in  the  old  records  the  King's  Free- 
mason,) who  built  the  Charter  House  in  London  ;  King's 
hall,  Cambridge;  Queensborough  Castle;  and  rebuilt 
St.  Stephen's  Chapel,14  Westminster;  and  5.  Simon 

14  On  the  27th  of  May,  1330,  in  the  4th  year  of  Edward  III.,  the 
works  of  this  chapel  were  recommenced.  From  a  charter  preserved 
in  the  Tower  of  London,  it  is  evident  that  this  chapel  was  not  finished 
for  several  years.  In  this  charter,  the  motives  which  induced  King 
Edward  to  rebuild  and  endow  it,  are  expressed  with  peculiar  elegance 
and  neatness.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1353,  he  granted  to  the  Dean 
and  Canons  of  this  collegiate  chapel  a  spot  of  ground,  extending  to 
the  Thames,  whereon  to  build  cloisters ;  he  also  made  a  grant  of  some 
houses  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  vested  several  manors  for  the 
endowment  of  the  college  in  John,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  as  trustee 
The  college  of  St.  Stephen  was  valued  at  its  suppression  at  1085/.  10« 
bd.;  and  was  surrendered  in  the  first  year  of  Edward  VI.  The 
chapel  was  afterwards  fitted  up  for  the  meeting  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, to  whose  use  it  has  ever  since  been  appropriated. 

The  following  account  of  the  plan  and  ornaments  of  this  chapel, 
which,  in  consequence  of  some  projected  alterations  in  the  House  or 
Commons,  have  lately,  after  a  lapse  of  ages,  been  unveiled,  may  be 
considered  as  curious  and  interesting ;  as  there  is  no  contemplation 
that  imparts  a  higher  degree  of  satisfaction,  than  that  which  presents 
to  the  mind  images  of  ancient  and  departed  splendour. 

The  eastern  part  of  this  chapel  serves  for  the  House  of  Commons, 
and  the  western  is  occupied  by  the  lobby,  and  adjoining  rooms  and 
offices.  In  the  latter,  there  are  no  traces  of  any  enrichments ;  but  in 
the  former  are  the  remains  of  the  altar,  stone-seats,  and  other  rich 
works.  The  elevation  of  the  western  front,  or  entrance  to  the  chapel, 
presents  these  observations.  From  the  ground  line  in  the  centre  rise 
two  arches,  supporting  the  open  screen.  On  the  right  of  the  screen 
is  the  entrance  into  the  porch  adjoining,  which  is  the  wall  of  the 
Court  of  Requests.  On  the  left  is  a  space,  corresponding  once,  it  may 
be  presumed,  with  the  perfect  side  of  the  screen  extending  to  the 
south  wall  of  the  hall.  Above  the  screen,  some  remains  of  the  centre 
building  are  still  visible.  On  the  south  front,  the  centre  window  is 
complete ;  five  others  are  filled  up  with  the  brick-work  between  the 
windows  which  at  present  light  the  House  of  Commons.  The  but- 
tresses are  entire,  as  well  as  the  tracing  in  the  spandrels  of  the  arches 
On  the  east  front,  from  the  ground  line,  were  three  windows  of  the 
chance},  the  east  window  of  which  is  now  filled  up.  The  buttresses 
are  entire,  as  well  as  the  octanguku  towers.  On  the  right  is  part  of 
an  ancient  wall,  .which  now  belongs  to  the  Speaker's  house.  On  the 
east  end  were  three  windows  from  the  ground  of  the  chancel ;  over 


OF    MASONRY.  116 

Langham,  abbot  of  Westminster,  who  rebuilt  the  body 
of  that  cathedral  as  it  now  stands.  Ai  this  period, 

the  groins  are  part  of  the  remains  of  the  altar;  and  on  each  side 
stone-seats,  and  clusters  of  columns,  the  capitals  of  which  rise  to  the 
present  ceiling  of  the  House  of  Commons.  The  whole  is  of  the  richest 
workmanship.  On  the  south  side,  from  the  ground  line  in  the  centre, 
is  a  perfect  window,  painted  with  the  arms  of  Westminster.  On  the 
left  of  the  chancel  are  clusters  of  columns ;  on  the  right  side  of  the 
left  clusters  is  the  eastern  window,  and  without  is  the  profile  of  the 
buttresses.  At  the  east  end  of  the  column  is  an  open  part ;  to  the 
right  is  the  chancel,  and  the  bases  are  two  feet  below  the  pavement, 
which  shows  that  there  must  have  been  a  great  ascent  to  the  chancel. 
The  whole  of  the  undercroft  is  perfect,  excepting  the  bases  of  the 
outer  columns,  and  forms  a  fine  superstructure  of  gigantic  support  to 
the  light  and  delicate  parts  above.  In  the  inside  you  behold  the  east 
window,  the  altar,  and  the  stone-seats,  which  are  broken  through. 
The  clusters  of  columns,  the  imposts  of  the  windows,  the  arches,  the 
spandrels,  the  entablature,  the  beautiful  proportion  of  the  windows, 
and  the  enrichments  of  the  whole,  crowd  on  the  sight,  and  fill  the 
mind  with  wonder  and  admiration.  At  the  upper  end  of  the  chapel, 
near  the  altar,  on  the  south  side,  there  are  evidently  the  remains  of  a 
black  marble  monument ;  but  to  whose  memory  it  was  erected,  we 
are  left  to  conjecture.  Over  the  monument  are  three  angels,  standing 
upright,  with  their  wings  half-expanded,  and  covered  with  golden 
eyes,  such  as  are  on  -the  peacock's  tail.  These  paintings,  which  must 
have  been  done  in  the  reign  of  Edward  III.,  are  for  that  period,  when 
the  art  of  painting  was  in  its  infancy,  wonderfully  well  executed ;  the 
colouring  has  preserved  a  considerable  portion  of  its  original  fresh- 
ness. The  expression  and  attitude  of  the  angels  are  singularly  inter- 
esting. You  may  suppose  the  body  of  the  deceased  stretched  before 
them,  the  three  angels  are  holding  palls  or  mantles  before  them,  which 
they  are  preparing  to  throw  over  the  body,  and  at  the  same  time  the 
one  in  the  middle  seems  to  say,  "  Behold  all  that  remains  on  earth  of 
him  who  was  once  so  mighty ! "  while  the  countenances  of  the  two  others 
are  epxressive  of  regret  and  commiseration.  The  stretched-out  pall  in 
the  hands  of  the  central  angel  is  powdered  over  with  the  irradiated 
gold  circles,  in  the  middle  of  which  are  spread-eagles  with  two  heads. 
This  affords  room  for  a  supposition  whose  the  tomb  was :  the  armo- 
rial bearings  of  Peter  of  Savoy,  uncle  to  Queen  Eleanor,  the  wife  of 
Henry  III.,  who  beautified  the  chapel,  consisted  of  an  eagle  with  two 
heads:  but  his  shield  displayed  "Or,  an  eagle,  with  two  heads,  sable." 
Now  as  the  eyes  of  the  peacock's  tail  are  painted  in  gold,  so  different 
from  the  natural  colouring,  it  is  not  improbable,  that  for  the  sake  of 
adding  elegance  to  the  pall,  the  painter  preferred  representing  the 
eagle's  head  in  gold  rather  than  in  sable ;  it  may,  therefore,  be  the 
tomb  of  St.  Peter  of  Savoy  that  we  are  describing. 

On  the  left  side  of  the  altar  is  a  painting  of  the  adoration  of  the 
shepherds.  Though  the  group  is  not  disposed  in  the  most  accurate 
style  of  design,  yet  theie  is  something  in  it  which  highly  interests  the 
imagination  ;  the  Virgin  on  one  side  is  described  holding  the  new-born 
infant,  while  Joseph  is  extending  the  swaddling  clothes.  The  cattle 
behind  are  not  ill  expressed ;  and  the  devotion  of  the  shepherds  with 


116  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Lodges  were  numerous,  and  the  communications  of  the 
Fraternity  were  held  under  the  protection  of  the  civil 
magistrate. 

Richard  II.  succeeded  his  grandfather  Edward  III.  in 
1377,  and  William  a  Wykeham  was  continued  Grand 
Master.  He  rebuilt  Winchester-hall  as  it  now  stands; 
and  employed  the  Fraternity  in  building  New-College, 
Oxford,  and  Winchester-College;  both  of  which  he 
founded  at  his  own  expense. 

Henry,  Duke  of  Lancaster,  taking  advantage  of  Rich- 
ard's absence  in  Ireland,  got  the  parliament  to  depose 
him,  and  next  year  caused  him  to  be  murdered.  Having 

their  flocks  is  very  appropriately  delineated ;  the  shepherd's  boy, 
blowing  the  double  flutes  to  his  dancing  dog.  and  the  fighting  rams, 
seem  but  ill  to  accord  with  the  subject',  but,  as  the  painter  has  placi><] 
them  without  the  stable,  perhaps  the  inconsistency  may  be  overlooked 
There  are  several  paintings  on  the  right  side  of  the  altar:  they  appeal 
to  be  figures  of  different  kings  and  queens,  tolerably  well  drawn,  and 
in  good  proportion,  and  strongly  mark  the  durability  of  the  colouring 
of  that  day.  On  the  north  side  of  the  chapel  there  are  paintiiu 
men  in  armour ;  beneath  two  of  them  are  the  names  of  Mercure  and 
Eustace.  In  short,  the  whole  of  the  architecture  and  enrichments, 
colours  and  gilding,  are  extremely  fresh  and  well  preserved.  It  is 
remarkable,  that  the  colours  are  decorated  with  a  sort  of  patera,  and 
several  of  the  mouldings  are  filled  up  with  ornaments  so  minute,  that 
those  of  the  spandrels  and  ground  entablature  could  hardly  have  been 
perceived  from  the  chapel. 

The  blockings  and  frieze  of  the  entablature  over  the  windows  of  the 
chapel,  contain,  some  of  them,  leaves  and  flowers,  others  perfect  ma>k-. 
and  others  shields,  with  the  arms  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  Geneville, 
Mandeville,  and  Bruyere, — the  arms  of  Castile  and  Leon,  and  ancient 
France, — the  arms  of  the  kingdom  of  the  West  Saxons — vine  leaves 
and  grapes,  supported  by  a  figure  issuing  out  of  a  cloud — and  shields 
with  the  arms  of  Strabolgi,  earls  of  Athol,  in  Scotland,  and  barons  ol 
Chilham  in  Kent,  together  with  the  shields  of  several  other  kings  and 
barons. 

The  artist  was,  doubtless,  desirous  that  the  whole  work  should 
have  the  same  attention,  and  that  one  uniform  blaze  of  magnificence 
and  splendour  should  shine  around,  making  this  chapel  the  ne  plus 
ultra  of  the  arts,  worth}-  the  saint  whose  name  it  bears,  and  of  its 
founder  Edward  HI.,  the  great  patron  of  ancient  architecture. 

•Several  curious  fragments  of  the  paintings  lately  discovered  on  the 
walls  of  this  chapel  have  been  presented  to  the  Society  of  Antiqua- 
ries ;  of  which  body  a  committee  was  appointed  to  superintend  the 
execution  of  drawings  of  all  curious  remains  that  have  been  brought 
to  light  by  the  late  alterations  in  this  celebrated  old  building. 

%*  Since  the  above  description  was  written,  this  beautiful  speci- 
men of  ancient  masonry  has  been  entirely  destroyed  by  a  devastating 
fire,  which  occurred  on  the  IGth  of  October.  1834. 


OF    MASONRY.  117 

supplanted  his  cousin,  he  mounted  the  throne  by  the 
name  of  Henry  IV.,  and  appointed  Thomas  Fitz-Allen, 
Earl  of  Surrey,  Grand  Master.  After  the  famous  victory 
of  Shrewsbury,  he  founded  Battle-abbey  and  Fotheringay  ; 
and  in  this  reign  the  Guildhall  of  London  was  built. 
The  king  died  in  1413,  and  Henry  V.  succeeded  to 
the  crown;  when  Henry  Chicheley,  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  obtained  the  direction  of  the  Fraternity, 
under  whose  auspices  Lodges  and  communications  were 
frequent. 

Henry  VI.,  a  minor,  succeeding  to  the  throne  in  1422, 
the  parliament  endeavoured  to  disturb  the  Masons,  by 
passing  the  following  act  to  prohibit  their  chapters  and 
conventions : 

3  Hen.  VI.,  cap.  1.,  A.D.  1425. 

MASONS  shall  not  confederate  in  Chapters  or  Congregations. 

"  Whereas,  by  the  yearly  congregations  and  confeder- 
acies ma$e  by  the  Masons  in  their  general  assemblies,  the 
good  course  and  effect  of  the  statutes  of  labourers  be 
openly  violated  and  broken,  in  subversion  of  the  law,  and 
to  the  great  damage  of  all  the  commons  ;  our  sovereign 
Lord  the  King,  willing  in  this  case  to  provide  a  remedy, 
by  the  advice  and  consent  aforesaid,  and,  at  the  special 
request  of  the  Commons,  hath  ordained  and  established 
that  such  chapters  and  congregations  shall  not  be  here- 
after holden ;  and  if  any  such  be  made,  they  that  cause 
such  chapters  and  congregations  to  be  assembled  and 
holden,  if  they  thereof  be  convict,  shall  be  judged  for 
felons:  and  that  the  other  Masons  that  come  to  such 
chapters  or  congregations  be  punished  by  imprisonment 
of  their  bodies,  and  make  fine  and  ransome  at  the  king's 
will."15 


15  Judge  Coke  gives  the  following  opinion  on  this  statute : 
**  All  the  statutes  concerning  labourers  before  this  act,  and  where- 
unto  this  act  doth  refer,  are  repealed  by  the  statute  of  5  Eliz.,  cap.  4, 
about  A.D.  1562 ;  whereby  the  cause  and  end  of  making  this  act  is 
taken  away,  and  consequently  the  act  is  become  of  no  force  ;  cessante 
ratione  legis,  cessat  ipsa  lex ;  and  the  indictment  of  felony  upon  the 
statute  must  contain,  That  those  chapters  and  congregations  are  to 
the  violating  and  breaking  of  the  good  course  and  effect  of  the  statutes 
of  labourers ;  which  now  cannot  be  so  alleged,  because  these  statutes 


118  ILLUSTRATIONS 

This  act  was  never  put  in  force,  nor  the  Fraternity 
deterred  from  assembling,  as  usual,  under  Archbishop 
Chicheley,  who  still  continued  to  preside  over  them.1' 
Notwithstanding  this  rigorous  edict,  the  effect  of  pre- 
judice and  malevolence  in  an  arbitrary  set  of  men, 
Lodges  were  formed  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom, 
and  tranquillity  and  felicity  reigned  among  the  Fraternity. 

As  the  attempt  of  parliament  to  suppress  the  Lodges 
and  communications  of  Masons  renders  the  transactions 
of  this  period  worthy  attention,  it  may  not  be  improper 
to  state  the  circumstances  which  are  supposed  to  have 
given  rise  to  this  harsh  edict. 

The  Duke  of  Bedford,  at  that  time  Regent  of  the  king- 
dom, being  in  France,  the  regal  power  was  vested  in  his 
brother  Humphrey,  Duke  of  Gloucester,17  who  was  styled 
Protector  and  guardian  of  the  kingdom.  The  care  of  the 
young  king's  person  and  education  was  entrusted  to 

be  repealed.     Therefore  this  would  be  put  out  of  the  charge  of  jus- 
tices of  the  peace." — INSTITUTES,  Part  III.,  fol.  19. 

It  is  plain,  from  the  above  opinion,  that  the  above  act,  though  never 
expressly  repealed,  can  have  no  force  at  present.  The  Masons  may  rest 
very  quiet,  continue  to  hold  their  assemblies,  and  propagate  their  tenets, 
as  long  as  a  conformity  to  their  professed  principles  entitles  them 
to  the  sanction  of  government.  Masonry  is  too  well  known  in  this 
country,  to  raise  anjf-  suspicion  in  the  legislature.  The  greatest  per- 
sonages have  presided  over  the  Society  ;  and  under  their  auspicious 
government,  at  different  times,  an  acquisition  of  patrons,  both  great 
and  noble,  has  been  made.  It  would  therefore  be  absurd  to  imagine, 
that  any  legal  attempt  will  ever  be  made  to  disturb  the  peace 
and  harmony  of  a  Society  so  truly  respectable,  and  so  highly 
honoured. 

16  The  Latin  Register  of  William  Molart,  prior  of  Canterbury,  in 
manuscript,  page  88,  entitled,  "  Liberatio  generalis  Domini  Grulielmi 
Prioris  Ecclesiae  Christi  Cantuariensis,  efga  Festum  Natalis  Domini, 
1429,"  informs  us,  that  in  the  year  1429,  during  the  minority  of  this 
prince,   a  respectable   Lodge   was   held   at   Canterbury,   under  the 
patronage   of    Henry   Chicheley,    the  archbishop;    at  which   were 
present  Thomas  Stapylton,  the  Master ;  John  Morris,  custos  de  la 
lodge  lathomorum,  or  warden  of  the  Lodge  of  Masons  ;  with  fifteen 
fellow-crafts,  and  three  entered  apprentices  ;  all  of  whom  are  particu- 
larly named. 

17  This  prince  is  said  to  have  received  a  more  learned  education 
than  was  usual  in  his  age,  to  have  founded  one  of  the  first  public 
libraries  in  England,  and  to  have  been  a  efreat  patron  of  learned  men. 
If  the  records  of  the  Society  may  be  relied  on,  we  have  reason  to 
believe  that  he  was  particularly  attached  to  the  Masons  ;  having  been 
admitted  into  their  Order,  and  assisted  at  the  initiation  of  King1  Henry 
in  1442  J 


OF    MASONRY.  119 

Henry  Beaufort,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  the  duke's  uncle. 
The  bishop  was  a  prelate  of  great  capacity  and  experience, 
but  of  an  intriguing  and  dangerous  character.  As  he 
aspired  to  the  sole  government  of  affairs,  he  had  continual 
disputes  with  Iris  nephew,  the  protector,  and  gained  fre- 
quent advantages  over  the  vehement  and  impolitic  temper 
of  that  prince.  Invested  with  power,  he  soon  began  to 
show  his  pride  and  haughtiness,  and  wanted  not  fol- 
lowers and  agents  to  augment  his  influence.18 

The  animosity  between  the  uncle  and  nephew  daily 
increased,  and  the  authority  of  parliament  was  obliged 
to  interpose.  On  the  last  day  of  April,  14^5,  the  par- 
liament met  at  Westminster.  The  servants  and  fol- 
lowers of  the  peers  coming  thither  armed  with  clubs  and 
staves,  occasioned  its  being  named  THE  BATT  PARLIA- 
MENT. Several  laws  were  made,  and,  among  the  rest, 

18  In  a  parliament  held  at  Westminster,  on  the  17th  of  November, 
1423,  to  answer  a  particular  end,  it  was  ordained,  "  That  if  any  per- 
son, committed  for  grand  or  petty  treason,  should  wilfully  break  out 
of  prison,  and  escape  from  the  same,  it  should  be  deemed  petty  trea- 
son, and  his  goods  be  forfeited."*  About  this  time,  one  William 
King,  of  Womolton,  in  Yorkshire,  servant  of  Sir  Robert  Scott, 
lieutenant  of  the  Tower,  pretended  that  he  had  been  offered  by  Sir 
John  Mortimer,  (cousin  to  the  lately  deceased  Edward  Mortimer, 
Earl  of  March,  the  nearest  in  blood  to  the  English  crown,  and  then 
a  prisoner  in  the  Tower,)  ten  pounds  to  buy  him  clothes,  with  forty 
pounds  a-year,  and  to  be  madr  an  earl,  if  he  would  assist  Mortimer  in 
making  his  escape ;  that  Mortimer  said,  he  would  raise  40,000 
men  on  his  enlargement,  and  would  strike  off  the  heads  of  the  rich 
Bishop  of  Winchester,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  and  others.  This 
fellow  undertook  to  prove  upon  oath  the  truth  of  his  assertion.  A 
short  time  after,  a  scheme  was  formed  to  cut  off  Mortimer,  andean 
opportunity  soon  offered  to  carry  it  into  execution.  Mortimer  being 
permitted  one  day  to  walk  to  the  Tower  wharf,  was  suddenly  pursued, 
seized,  brought  back,  accused  of  breaking  out  of  prison,  and  of 
attempting  his  escape.  He  was  tried ;  and  the  evidence  of  King 
being  admitted,  was  convicted,  agreeably  to  the  late  statute,  and 
afterwards  beheaded. 

The  death  of  Mortimer  occasioned  great  murmuring  and  discontent 
among  the  people,  and  threatened  a  speedy  subversion  of  those  in 
power.  Many  hints  were  thrown  out,  both  in  public  and  private 
assemblies,  of  the  fatal  consequences  which  were  expected  to  succeed 
this  commotion.  The  amazing  progress  it  made  justly  alarmed  the 
suspicions  of  the  ambitious  prelate,  who  spared  no  pahjs  to  exert  hi§ 
power  on  the  occasion. 

*  Wolfe'*  Chronicle,  published  by  Stowe. 


120  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  act  for  abolishing  the  Society  of  Masons  ;19  at  least, 
for  preventing  their  assemblies  and  congregations.  Their 
meetings,  being  secret,  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
aspiring  prelate,  who  determined  to  suppress  them.20 

18  Dr.  Anderson,  in  the  first  edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions, 
in  a  note,  makes  the  following  observation  on  this  act : 

"  This  act  was  made  in  ignorant  times,  when  true  learning  was  a 
crime,  and  geometry  condemned  for  conjuration  ;  but  it  cannot  dero- 
gate from  the  honour  of  the  ancient  Fraternity,  who,  to  be  sure, 
would  never  encourage  any  such  confederacy  of  their  working 
brethren.  By  tradition,  it  is  believed,  that  the  parliament  were  then 
too  much  influenced  by  the  illiterate  clergy,  who  were  not  accepted 
Masons,  nor  understood  architecture  (as  the  clergy  of  some  former 
ages),  and  were  generally  thought  unworthy  of  this  brotherhood. 
Thinking  they  had  an  indefeasible  right  to  know  all  secrets,  by  virtue 
of  auricular  confession,  and  the  Masons  never  confessing  anything 
thereof,  the  said  clergy  were  highly  offended ;  and  at  first  suspecting 
them  of  wickedness,  represented  them  as  dangerous  to  the  state 
during  that  minority,  and  soon  influenced  the  parliament  to  lay  hold 
of  such  supposed  arguments  of  the  working  Masons,  for  making  an 
act  that  might  seem  to  reflect  dishonour  upon  even  the  whole  Frater- 
nity, in  whose  favour  several  acts  had  been  before  and  after  that 
period  made." 

20  The  bishop  was  diverted  from  his  persecution  of  the  Masons,  by 
an  affair  in  which  he  was  more  nearly  concerned.  On  the  morning 
of  St.  Simon  and  Jude's  day,  after  the  lord  mayor  of  London  had 
returned  to  the  city  from  Westminster,  where  he  had  been  taking  the 
usual  charges  of  his  high  oflice,  he  received  a  special  message,  while 
seated  at  dinner,  from  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  requiring  his  imme- 
diate attendance.  He  immediately  repaired  to  the  palace ;  and  being 
introduced  into  the  presence,  the  duke  commanded  his  lordship  to  see 
that  the  city  was  properly  watched  the  following  night,  as  he  expected 
his  uncle  would  endeavour  to  make  himself  master  of  it  by  force,  unless 
some  effectual  means  were  adopted  to  stop  his  progress.  This  com- 
mand was  strictly  obeyed ;  and,  at  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the 
Bishop  of  Winchester,  with  his  servants  and  followers,  attempting  to 
enter  the  city  by  the  bridge,  were  prevented  by  the  vigilance  of  the 
citizens,  who  repelled  them  by  force.  This  unexpected  repulse  en- 
raged the  haughty  prelate,  who  immediately  collected  a  numerous 
body  of  archers,  and  other  men-at-arms,  and  commanded  them  to 
assault  the  gate  with  shot.  The  citizens  directly  shut  up  their  shops, 
and  crowded  to  the  bridge  in  great  numbers,  when  a  general  massacre 
would  certainly  have  ensued,  had  it  not  been  for  the  timely  interposi- 
tion and  prudent  administration  of  the  mayor  and  aldermen,  who  hap- 
pily stopt  all  violent  measures,  and  prevented  a  great  effusion  of  blood 

The  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  Peter,  Duke  of  Coimbra, 
eldest  son  of  the  King  of  Portugal,  with  several  others,  endeavoured 
to  appease  the  fury  of  the  two  contending  parties,  and,  if  possible,  to 
bring  about  a  reconciliation  between  them ;  but  to  no  purpose,  as 
neither  party  would  yield.  They  rode  eight  or  ten  times  backward 


OF    MASONRY.  121 

The  sovereign  authority  being  vested  in  the  Duke  of 
Gloucester,  as  Protector  of  the  realm,  the  execution  of 
the  laws,  and  all  that  related  to  the  civil  magistrate, 

and  forward,  using  every  scheme  they  could  devise  to  prevent  further 
extremities ;  at  last  they  succeeded  in  their  mediation,  and  brought 
the  parties  to  a  conformity ;  when  it  was  agreed,  that  all  hostile  pro 
jeedings  should  drop  on  both  sides,  and  the  matter  be  referred  to  the 
award  of  the  Duke  of  Bedford ;  on  which  peace  was  restored,  and 
the  city  remained  in  quiet. 

The  bishop  lost  no  time  in  transmitting  his  case  to  the  Duke  of 
Bedford ;  and,  in  order  to  gloss  it  over  with  the  best  colours,  he  wrote 
the  following  letter : 

"  RIGHT  high  and  mighty  prince,  and  my  right  noble,  and  after 
one  leiuest  [earthly]  lord ;  I  recommend  me  unto  your  grace  with  all 
my  heart.  And  as  you  desire  the  welfare  of  the  King  our  sovereign 
lord,  and  of  his  realms  of  England  and  France,  your  own  weal 
[health] ,  with  ali  yours  haste  you  hither  ;  For,  by  my  troth,  if  you 
tarry  long,  we  shall  put  this  land  in  jeopardy  [adventure]  with  afield; 
such  a  brother  you  have  here ;  God  make  him  a  good  man.  For 
your  wisdom  well  knoweth  that  the  profit  of  France  standeth  in  the 
welfare  of  England,  &c.  The  blessed  Trinity  keep  you.  Written 
in  great  haste  at  London,  on  Allhalloweneven,  the  31st  of  October, 
1425.  By  your  servant,  to  my  lives  end, 

"  HENRY  WINCHESTER." 

This  letter  had  the  desired  effect,  and  hastened  the  return  of  the 
Duke  of  Bedford  to  London,  where  he  arrived  on  the  10th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1425-6.  On  the  21  st  of  February  he  held  a  great  council  at  St. 
Alban's,  adjourned  it  to  the  15th  of  March  at  Northampton,  and  to 
the  25th  of  June  at  Leicester.  Batts  and  staves  being  now  pro- 
hibited, the  followers  of  the  members  of  parliament  attended  with 
stones  in  a  sling  and  plummets  of  lead.  The  Duke  of  Bedford  em- 
ployed the  authority  of  parliament  to  reconcile  the  differences  which 
had  broken  out  between  his  brother  and  the  Bishop  of  Winchester  ; 
and  obliged  these  rivals  to  promise,  before  that  assembly,  that  they 
would  bury  all  quarrels  in  oblivion.  Thus  the  long  wished-for  peace 
between  these  two  great  personages  was,  to  all  appearances,  accom- 
plished. 

During  the  discussion  of  this  matter  before  parliament,  the  Duke 
of  Gloucester  exhibited  the  following  charge,  among  five  others, 
against  the  Bishop  of  Winchester :  "  That  he  had,  in  his  leUer  to  the 
Duke  of  Bedford  in  France,  plainly  declared  his  malicious  purpose  of 
assembling  the  people,  and  stirring  up  a  rebellion  in  the  nation,  con- 
trary to  the  king's  peace." 

The  bishop's  answer  to  this  accusation  was,  "  That  he  never  had 
any  intention  to  disturb  the  state  of  the  nation,  or  raise  a  rebel- 
lion; but  that  he  sent  to  the  Duke  of  Bedford  to  solicit  his  speedy 
return  to  England,  to  settle  all  those  differences  which  were  so  pre- 
judicial to  the  peace  of  the  kingdom :  That,  though  he  had  indeed 
written  in  the  letter,  That  if  he  tarried,  we  should  put  the  Land  in 
adventure  by  afield:  such  a  brother  you  have  here;  he  did  not  mean 
it  of  any  design  of  his  own,  but  considering  the  seditious  assemblies 


122  ILLUSTRATIONS 

centred  in  him ;  a  fortunate  circumstance  for  the  Masons 
at  this  critical  juncture.  The  Duke,  knowing  them  to 
be  innocent  of  the  accusations  which  the  Bishop  of  Win- 
chester haid  laid  against  them,  took  them  under  his  pro- 
tection, and  transferred  the  charge  of  rebellion,  sedition, 
and  treason,  from  them  to  the  bishop  and  his  followers; 
who,  he  asserted,  were  the  first  violaters  of  the  public 
peace,  and  the  most  rigorous  promoters  of  civil  discord. 

The  bishop,  sensible  that  his  conduct  could  not  be 
justified  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  prevailed  on  the  king, 
through  the  intercession  of  the  parliament,  whose  favour 
his  riches  had  obtained,  to  grant  letters  of  pardon  for  all 
offences  committed  by  him,  contrary  to  the  statute  of 
provisors,  and  other  acts  of  praemunire;  and  five  years 
afterwards  procured  another  pardon,  under  the  great  seal, 
for  all  crimes  whatever,  from  the  creation  of  the  world 
to  the  26th  of  July,  1437. 

Notwithstanding  these  precautions  of  the  cardinal,  the 
Duke  of  Gloucester  drew  up,  in  1442,  fresh  articles  of 
impeachment  against  him,  and  presented  them  in  person 
to  the  king;  earnestly  entreating  that  judgment  might 
be  passed  upon  him,  according  to  his  crimes.  The  king 
referred  the  matter  to  his  council,  which  was  at  that  time 
composed  principally  of  ecclesiastics,  who  extended  their 
favour  to  the  cardinal,  and  made  such  slow  progress  in 
the  business,  that  the  duke,  wearied  out  with  their 
tedious  delays  and  fraudulent  evasions,  dropped  the 
prosecution,  and  the  cardinal  escaped. 

Nothing  could  now  remove  the  inveteracy  of  the  car- 

of  Masons,  carpenters,  tylers,  and  plasterers :  who,  being  distasted 
by  the  late  act  of  parliament  against  the  excessive  wages  of  those 
trades,  had  given  out  many  seditious  speeches  and  menaces  against 
certain  great  men,  which  tended  much  to  rebellion  :*  That  the  Duke 
of  Gloucester  did  not  use  his  endeavour,  as  he  ought  to  have  done  in 
his  place,  to  suppress  such  unlawful  assemblies ;  so  that  he  feared 
the  king,  and  his  good  subjects,  must  have  made  a  field  to  withstand 
them ;  to  prevent  which,  he  chiefly  desired  the  Duke  of  Bedford  to 
come  over." 

As  the  Masons  are  unjustly  suspected  of  having  given  rise  to  the 
above  civil  commotions,  I  thought  it  necessary  to  insert  the  foregoing 
particulars,  in  order  to  clear  them  from  this  false  charge.  Most  of 
the  circumstances  here  mentioned  are  extracted  from  Wolfe's  Chron- 
icle, published  by  Stowe. 

*  The  above  particulars  are  extracted  from  one  of  Elias  Ashmole's  MSS.  on  the  subjecl 
of  Freemasonry. 


OF    MASONRY.  123 

dinal  against  the  duke ;  he  resolved  to  destroy  a  man 
whose  popularity  might  become  dangerous,  and  whose 
resentment  he  had  reason  to  dread.  The  duke  having 
always  proved  a  strenuous  friend  to  the  public,  and,  by 
the  authority  of  his  birth  and  station,  having  hitherto 
prevented  absolute  power  from  being  vested  in  the  king's 
person,^  Winchester  was  enabled  to  gain  many  partisans, 
who  were  easily  brought  to  concur  in  the  ruin  of  the 
prince.21 

To  accomplish  this  purpose,  the  bishop  and  his  party 
concerted  a  plan  to  murder  the  duke.  A  parliament  was 
summoned  to  meet  at  St.  Edmondsbury  in  1447,  where 
they  expected  he  would  be  entirely  at  their  mercy. 
Having  appeared  on  the  second  day  of  the  sessions,  he 
was  accused  of  treason,  and  thrown  into  prison  ;#  where 
he  was  found  the  next  day,  cruelly  murdered.  It  was 
pretended  that  his  death  was  natural ;  but  though  his 
body,  which  was  exposed  to  public  view,  bore  no  marks 
of  outward  injury,  there  was  little  doubt  of  his  having 
fallen  a  sacrifice  to  the  vengeance  of  his  enemies.  After 
this  dreadful  catastrophe,  five  of  his  servants  were  tried 
for  aiding  him  in  his  treasons,  and  condemned  to  be 
hanged,  drawn  and  quartered.  They  were  hanged  accord- 
ingly, cut  down  alive,  stripped  naked,  and  marked  with 
a  knife  to  be  quartered;  when  the  Marquis  of  Suffolk, 
through  a  mean  and  pitiful  affectation  of  popularity, 
produced  their  pardon,  and  saved  their  lives;  the  most 
barbarous  kind  of  mercy  that  can  possibly  be  imagined! 


21  The  bishop  planned  the  following  scheme,  at  this  time,  to  irritate 
the  Duke  of  Gloucester:  his  duchess,  the  daughter  of  Reginald  Lord 
Oobham,  had  been  accused  of  the  crime  of  witchcraft;  and  it  waa 
pretended  that  a  waxen  figure  of  the  king  was  found  in  her  possess- 
ion, which  she,  and  her  associates,  Sir  Roger  Bolingbroke,  a  priest, 
and  one  Margery  Jordan  of  Eye,  melted,  in  a  magical  mariner,  before 
a  slow  fire,  with  an  intention  of  making  Henry's  force  and  vigour 
waste  away  by  like  insensible  degrees.  The  accusation  was  well  cal- 
culated to  affect  the  weak  and  credulous  mind  of  the  king,  and  gain 
belief  in  an  ignorant  age.  The  duchess  was  brought  to  trial,  with 
her  confederates,  and  the  prisoners  were  pronounced  guilty:  the 
duchess  was  condemned  to  do  public  penance  in  London  for  three 
days,  and  to  suffer  perpetual  imprisonment;  the  others  were  executed. 

The  protector,  provoked  at  such  repeated  insults  offered  to  his 
duchess,  made  a  noble  and  stout  resistance  to  these  most  abominable 
and  shameful  proceedings;  but  it  unfortunately  ended  in  his  own 
destruction. 


124  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Duke  of  Gloucester's  death  was  universally  la- 
mented throughout  the  kingdom.  He  had  long  obtained, 
and  deserved,  the  surname  of  GOOD.  He  was  a  lover  of 
his  country,  the  friend  of  merit,  the  protector  of  Masons, 
the  patron  of  the  learned,  and  the  encourager  of  every 
useful  art.  His  inveterate  persecutor,  the  hypocritical 
bishop,  stung  with  remorse,  scarcely  survived  him  two 
months;  when,  after  a  long  life  spent  in  falsehood  and 
politics,  he  sunk  into  oblivion,  and  ended  his  days  in 
misery.22 

After  the  death  of  the  cardinal,  the  Masons  continued 
to  hold  their  Lodges  without  danger  of  interruption. 
Henry  established  various  seats  of  learning,  which  he 
enriched  with  ample  endowments,  and  distinguished  by 
peculiaj  immunities;  thus  inviting  his  subjects  to  rise 
above  ignorance  and  barbarism,  and  reform  their  turbu- 
lent and  licentious  manners.  In  1442,  he  was  initiated 
into  Masonry,  and,  from  that  time,  spared  no  pains  to 
obtain  a  complete  knowledge  of  the  Art.  He  perused 
the  Ancient  Charges,  revised  the  constitutions,  and,  with 
the  consent  of  his  council,  honoured  them  with  his  sanc- 
tion.23 

Encouraged  by  the  example  of  the  sovereign,  and 
allured  by  an  ambition  to  excel,  many  lords- and  gentle- 
men of  the  court  were  initiated  into  Masonry,  and  pur- 

32  The  wickedness  of  the  cardinal's  life,  and  his  mean,  base,  and 
unmanly  death,  will  ever  be  a  bar  against  any  vindication  of  his 
memory,  for  the  good  which  he  did  while  alive,  or  which  the  money 
he  had  amassed  could  do  after  his  death.  When  in  his  last  moments 
he  was  heard  to  utter  these  mean  expressions:  "Why  should  I  die. 
/who  am  possessed  of  so  much  wealth  ?  If  the  whole  kingdom  could 
save  rny  life.  1  am  able  by  my  policy  to  preserve  it,  or  by  my  money 
to  purchase  it.  Will  not  death  be  bribed,  and  money  do  everything  ?" 
The  inimitable  Shakspeare,  after  giving  a  most  horrible  picture  of 
despair,  and  a  tortured  conscience,  in  the  person  of  the  cardinal, 
introduces  King  Henry  to  him  with  these  sharp  and  piercing  words: 

"  Lord  Cardinal,  if  thou  think'st  on  heaven's  bliss, 
Lift  up  thy  hand,  make  signal  of  that  hope. 

He  dies,  and  makes  no  sign." 

HRN.  VI.,  Act.  3. 

"  The  memory  of  the  wicked  shall  rot,  but  the  unjustly  persecuted 
shall  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance." 

23  A  record  in  the  reign  of  Edward  IV.  runs  thus :  "  The  company 
of  Masons,  being  otherwise  termed  Freemasons,  of  auntient  staimding 
and  good  reckoninge,  by  means  of  affable  and  kind  meetyngs  dyverse 
tymes.  and  as  a  lovinge  brotherhode  use  to  doe.  did  frequent  this 


OF    MASONRY.  125 

sued  the  Art  with  diligence  and  assiduity.24  The  king, 
in  person,  presided  over  the  Lodges,  and  nominated 
William  Wanefleet,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  Grand  Mas- 
ter; who  built,  at  his  own  expense,  Magdalene  College, 
Oxford,  and  several  pious  houses.  Eton  College,  near 
Windsor,  and  King's  College,  Cambridge,  were  founded 
in  this  reign,  and  finished  under  the  direction  of  Wane- 
fleet.  Henry  also  founded  Christ's  College,  Cambridge ; 
and  his  queen,  Margaret  of  Anjou,  Queen's  College  in 
the  same  university.  In  short,  during  the  life  of  this 
prince,  the  arts  flourished,  and  many  sagacious  statesmen, 
consummate  orators,  and  admired  writers,  were  support- 
ed by  royal  munificence. 

SECT.  IV.   . 

History  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England,  from  1471  to 

1567. 

MASONRY  continued  to  flourish  in  England  till  the 
peace  of  the  kingdom  was  interrupted  by  the  civil  wars 
between  the  two  royal  houses  of  York  and  Lancaster ; 

mutual  assembly  in  the  tyme  of  Henry  VI.,  in  the  twelfth  yeare  of  his 
most  gracious  reign,  A.D.  1434."  The  same  record  says  farther,  "  That 
the  charges  and  laws  of  the  Freemasons  have  been  seen  and  perused 
by  our  late  soveraign  King  Henry  VI.,  and  by  the  lords  of  his  m  >st 
honourable  council,  who  have  allowed  them,  and  declared,  That  they 
be  right  good,  and  reasonable  to  be  holden.  as  they  have  been  drawn 
out  and  collected  from  the  records  of  auntient  tymes."  &c.,  &c. 

From  this  record  it  appears,  that  before  the  troubles  which  hap- 
pened in  the  reign  of  this  unfortunate  prince.  Freemasons  were  held 
in  high  estimation. 

24  While  these  transactions  were  carrying  on  in  England,  the  Masons 
were  countenanced  and  protected  in  Scotland,  by  King  James  I. 
After  his  return  from  captivity,  he  became  the  patron  of  the  learned, 
and  a  zealous  encourager  of  Masonry.  The  Scottish  records  relate, 
that  he  honoured  the  Lodges  with  his  royal  presence;  that  he  settled 
a  yearly  revenue  of  four  pounds  Scots  (an  English  noble),  to  be  paid 
by  every  Master-mason  in  Scotland,  to  a  Grand  Master,  chosen  by  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  approved  by  the  crown,  one  nobly  born,  or  an  emi- 
nent clergyman,  who  had  his  deputies  in  cities  'and  counties ;  and 
every  new  brother,  at  entrance,  paid  him  also  a  fee.  His  office  empow- 
ered him  to  regulate  in  the  Fraternity  what  should  not  come  under 
the  cognizance  of  law-courts.  To  him  appealed  both  Mason  and  lord, 
or  the  builder  and  founder,  when  at  variance,  in  order  to  prevent  law- 
pleasj  and,  in  his  absence,  they  appealed  to  his  Deputy  or  Grand 
Warden,  that  resided  next  to  the  premises. 


126  ILLUSTRATIONS 

during  which  it  fell  into  an  almost  total  neglect,  that 
continued  till  1471,  when  it  again  revived  under  the 
auspices  of  Richard  Beauchamp,  Bishop  of  Sarum,  who 
had  been  appointed  Grand  Master  by  Edward  IV.,  nml 
honoured  with  the  title  of  Chancellor  of  the  Garter,  for 
repairing  the  castle  and  chapel  of  Windsor. 

During  the  short  reigns  of  Edward  V.  and  Richard  III., 
Masonry  was  on  the  decline;  but  on  the  accession  of 
Henry  VII.,  A.D.  1485,  it  rose  again  into  esteem,  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Master  and  Fellows  of  the  order  of 
St.  John  at  Rhodes  (now  Malta),  who  assembled  their 
Grand  Lodge  in  1500,  and  chose  Henry  their  protector. 
Under  the  auspices  of  this  prince,  the  Fraternity  once 
more  revived  their  assemblies,  and  Masonry  resumed  its 
pristine  splendour. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1502,  a  Lodge  of  Master  Masons 
was  formed  in  the  palace,  at  which  the  king  presided  in 
person  as  grand  Master;  who,  having  appointed  John 
Islip,  abbot  of  Westminster,  and  Sir  Reginald  Bray, 
knight  of  the  garter,  his  wardens  for  the  occasion,  pro- 
ceeded, in  ample  form,  to  the  east  end  of  Westminster 
Abbey,  where  he  laid  the  foundation-stone  of  that  rich 
master-piece  of  Gothic  architecture,  known  by  the  name 
of  Henry  the  Seventh's  Chapel.25  This  chapel  is  sup- 
ported by  fourteen  Gothic  buttresses,  all  beautifully 
ornamented,  and  projecting  from  the  building  in  different 
angles ;  it  is  enlightened  by  a  double  range  of  windows, 
which  throw  the  light  into  such  a  happy  disposition,  as 

25  This  chapel  was  erected  by  William  Bolton,  prior  of  St.  Bartholo- 
mew's, who  is  denominated  the  "  Master  of  the  work,"  in  the  will  of 
King  Henry  VII.  Leland  styles  it  the  miracle  of  the  world,  orbis 
miraculum;  and  Bntton  (Arch.  Ant.,  vol.  5.  p.  178.)  adds,  "However 
extravagant  that  eulogium  may  appear,  there  is  probably  no  other 
edifice  on  the  globe  in  which  such  profound  geometrical  skill  has  been 
displayed,  mingled  with  such  luxuriancy  of  ornament  and  such 
aspiring  lightness  of  design.  It  would  seem,  indeed,  as  though  the 
architect  had  intended  to  give  to  stone  the  character  of  embroidery, 
and  enclose  his  walls  in  the  meshes  of  lace-work.  The  buttress 
towers  are  crested  by  ornamental  domes,  and  enriched  with  niches 
and  elegant  tracery  ;  the  parapets  are  gracefully  wrought  with  pierced 
work;  the  cross  springers  are  perforated  into  airy  fcxrms ;  and  the 
very  cornices  are  charged,  even  to  profusion,  with  armorial  cogni- 
zances, and  knotted  foliage.  The  interior  is  yet  inore  embellished  ;  and, 
at  the  same  time,  altogether  unparalleled  for  its  surrounding  ranges 
of  rich  statuary,  and  the  gorgeous  elegance  and  peculiarly  scientific 
construction  of  its  vaulting," — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  127 

at  once  to  please  the  eye,  and  afford  a  kind  of  solemn 
gloom.  These  buttresses  extend  to  the  roof,  and  are 
made  to  strengthen  ii  oy  being  crowned  with  Gothic 
arches.  The  entrance  is  from  the  east  end  of  the  abbey, 
by  a  flight  of  black  marble  steps,  under  a  noble  arch, 
leading  to  the  body  of  the  chapel.  The  gates  are  of 
brass.  The  stalls  on  each  side  are  of  oak,  as  are  also  the 
seats,  and  the  pavement  is  black  and  white  marble.  The 
cape-stone  of  this  building  was  celebrated  in  1507. 

Under  the  direction  of  Sir  Reginald  Bray,  the  palace 
of  Richmond  was  also  built,  and  many  other  stately 
works.  Brazen-nose  College,  Oxford,  and  Jesus  and  St. 
John's  Colleges,  Cambridge,  were  likewise  finished  in 
this  reign. 

Henry  VIII.  succeeded  his  father  in  1509,  and  ap 
pointed  Cardinal  Wolsey  Grand  Master.  This  prelate 
built  Hampton  Court,  Whitehall,  Christ-church  College, 
Oxford,  and  several  other  noble  edifices;  all  of  which, 
upon  his  disgrace,  were  forfeited  to  the  crown,  A.D.  1530. 
Thomas  Cromwell,  Earl  of  Essex,  succeeded  the  cardinal 
in  the  office  of  Grand  Master ;  and  employed  the  Fraternity 
in  building  St.  James's  Palace,  Christ's  Hospital,  and 
Greenwich  Castle.  In  1534,  the  king  and  parliament 
threw  off  allegiance  to  the  pope  of  Rome ;  and  the  king 
being  declared  supreme  head  of  the  church,  no  less  than 
926  pious  houses  were  suppressed;  many  of  which  were 
afterwards  converted  into  stately  mansions  for  the  nobility 
and  gentry.  Under  the  direction  of  John  Touchet,  Lord 
Audley,  who,  on  Cromwell's  being  beheaded  in  1540, 
had  succeeded  to  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  the  Frater- 
nity were  employed  in  building  Magdalene  College,  Cam- 
bridge, and  several  other  structures. 

Edward  VI.,  a  minor,  succeeded  to  the  throne  in  1547, 
and  his  guardian  and  regent,  Edward  Seymour,  Duke  of 
Somerset,  undertook  the  management  of  the  Masons,  and 
built  Somerset-house,  in  the  Strand;  which,  on  his  being 
beheaded,  was  forfeited  to  the  crown  in  1552.  John 
Poynet,  Bishop  of  Winchester,  then  became  the  patron 
of  the  Fraternity,  and  presided  over  the  Lodges  till  the 
death  of  the  king,  in  1553. 

The  Masons  remained  without  any  nominal  patron1  till 
the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  when  Sir  Thomas  Sackville 
accepted  the  office  of  Grand  Master.  Lodges  were  held 


128  ILLUSTRATIONS 

during  this  period,  in  different  parts  of  England;  but 
the  General  or  Grand  Lodge  assembled  in  York,  where 
the  Fraternity  were  numerous  and  respectable. 

The  following  circumstance  is  recorded  of  Elizabeth : 
Hearing  that  the  Masons  were  in  possession  of  secrets 
which  they  would  not  reveal,  and  being  jealous  of  all 
secret  assemblies,  she  sent  an  armed  force  to  York,  with 
intent  to  break  up  their  annual  Grand  Lodge.28  This 
design,  however,^  was  happily  frustrated  by  the  interpo- 
sition of  Sir  Thomas  Sackville,  who  took  care  to  initiate 
some  of  the  chief  officers  whom  she  had  sent  on  this 
duty.  They  joined  in  communication  with  the  Masons, 
and  made  so  favourable  a  report  to  the  queen  on  their 
return,  that  she  countermanded  her  orders,  and  never 
afterwards  attempted  to  disturb  the  meetings  of  the 
Fraternity. 

Sir  Thomas  Sackville  held  the  office  of  Grand  Master 
till  1567,  when  he  resigned  in  favour  of  Francis  Russell, 
Earl  of  Bedford,  and  Sir  Thomas  Gresham,27  an  eminent 

26  This  confirms  the  observations  in  a  former  note,  on  the  existence 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  York,  p.  108.  et  seq. 

91  Sir  Thomas  Gresham  proposed  to  erect  a  building,  at  his  own 
expense,  in  the  city  of  London,  for  the  service  of  commerce,  if  the 
citizens  would  purchase  a  proper  spot  for  that  purpose.  His  proposal 
being  accepted,  and  some  houses  between  Cornhill  and  Threadneedle- 
street,  which  had  been  purchased  on  that  account,  having  been  pulled 
down,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1566,  the  foundation-stone  of  the  intended 
building  was  laid.  The  work  was  carried  on  with  such  expedition, 
that  the  whole  was  finished  in  November,  1567.  The  plan  of  this 
edifice  was  formed  upon  that  of  the  Exchange  at  Antwerp;  being, 
like  it,  an  oblong  square,  with  a  portico,  supported  by  pillars  of 
marble,  ten  on  the  north  and  south  sides,  and  seven  on  the  east  and 
west;  under  which  stood  the  shops,  each  seven  feet  and  a  half  long, 
and  five  feet  broad;  in  all,  120;  twenty-five  on  each  side  east  and 
west,  thirty -four  and  a  half  north,  aiid  thirty-five  and  a  half  south; 
each  of  which  paid  Sir  Thomas  £4  10.5  a  year  on  an  average.  There 
were,  likewise,  other  shops  fitted  up  in  the  vaults  below ;  but  the 
dampness  and  darkness  rendered  them  so  inconvenient,  that  the  vaults 
were  soon  let  out  to  other  uses.  Upon  the  roof  stood,  at  each  corner, 
upon  a  pedestal,  a  grasshopper,  which  was  the  crest  of  Sir  Thomas's 
Anns,  This  edifice,  on  its  being  first  erected,  was  called  simply  the 
Bourse;  but,  on  the  23d  of  January,  1570,  the  queen,  attended* by  a 
great  number  of  her  nobles,  came  from  her  palace  of  Somerset-house 
iii  the  Strand,  and,  passing  through  Threadneedle-street,  dined  with 
Sir  Thomas  at  his  house  in  Bishopsgate-street ;  and,  after  dinner,  her 
Majesty  returned  through  Cornhill,  entered  the  Bourse  on  the  south 
side,  and  having  viewed  every  part  of  the  building,  particularly  the 
gallery  which  extended  around,  the  whole  structure,  and  which  was 


OF    MASONRY.  129 

merchant,  distinguished  by  his  abilities,  and  great  success 
in  trade.  To  the  former,  the  care  of  the  Brethren  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  kingdom  was  assigned,  while  the 
latter  was  appointed  to  superintend  the  meetings  in  the 
south,  where  the  society  had  considerably  increased,  in 
consequence  of  the  honourable  report  which  had  been 
made  to  the  queen.  Notwithstanding  this  new  appoint- 
ment of  a  Grand  Master  for  the  south,  the  General 
Assembly  continued  to  meet  in  the  city  of  York,  as 
heretofore,  where  all  the  records  were  kept ;  and  to  this 
assembly  appeals  were  made  on  every  important  occasion. 


SECT.  V. 

Progress  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England,  from  the 
Reign  of  Elizabeth  to  the  Fire  of  London,  in  1666. 

THE  queen,  being  assured  that  the  Fraternity  were 
composed  of  skilful  architects  and  lovers  of  the  arts,  and 
that  state  affairs  were  points  in  which  they  never  inter- 
fered, was  perfectly  reconciled  to  their  assemblies,  and 
Masonry  made  a  great  progress  during  her  reign.  Several 
Lodges  were  held  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  par- 
ticularly in  London  and  its  environs,  where  the  Brethren 
increased  considerably,  and  many  great  works  were 
carried  on  under  the  auspices  of  Sir  Thomas  Gresham, 
from  whom  the  Fraternity  received  every  encouragement. 

Charles  Howard,  Earl  of  Effingham,  succeeded  Sir 
Thomas  in  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  arid  continued  to 
preside  over  the  Lodges  in  the  south,  till  the  year  1588 ; 
when  George  Hastings,  Earl  of  Huntingdon,  was  chosen, 
who  remained  in  that  office  till  the  death  of  the  queen,  in 
1603. 

On  the  demise  of  Elizabeth,  the  crowns  of  England 
and  Scotland  were  united  in  her  successor,  James  VI.  of 
Scotland,  who  was  proclaimed  King  of  England,  Scot- 
furnished  with  shops,  filled  with  all  sorts  of  the  finest  wares  in  the 
city,  she  caused  the  edifice  to  be  proclaimed,  in  her  presence,  by  a 
herald  and  trumpet,  "The  Royal  Exchange;"  and,  on  this  occasion,  it 
is  said,  Sir  Thomas  appeared  publicly  in  the  character  of  Grand 
Master.  The  original  building  stood  till  the  fire  in  London,  in  16G6. 
when  it  was  destroyed,  and  a  magnificent  building  erected  in  its  place, 
which,  also,  was  burnt  to  the  ground  on  the  10th  January,  1838. 
7* 


1 80  ILLUSTRATIONS 

land,  and  Ireland,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1603.  At  fchig 
period,  Masonry  flourished  in  both  kingdoms,  and  Lodges 
were  convened  under  the  royal  patronage.  Several  gen- 
tlemen of  fine  taste,  who  had  returned  from  their  travels, 
'  full  of  laudable  emulation  to  revive  the  old  Roman  and 
Grecian  Masonry,  brought  home  fragments  of  old  columns, 
curious  drawings,  and  books  of  architecture.  Among 
the  number  was  the  celebrated  Inigo  Jones,  son  of  Inigo 
Jones,  a  citizen  of  London,  who  was  put  apprentice  to  a 
joiner,  and  had  a  natural  taste  for  the  art  of  designing. 
Being  first  renowned  for  his  skill  in  landscape  painting, 
he  was  patronised  by  the  learned  William  Herbert,  after- 
wards Earl  of  Pembroke.  Having  made  the  tour  of 
Italy  at  his  lordship's  expense,  and  improved  under  some 
of  the  best  disciples  of  the  famous  Andrea  Palladio,  on 
his  return  to  England,  he  laid  aside  the  pencil,  and,  con- 
fining his  study  to  architecture,  became  the  Vitruvius  of 
Britain  and  the  rival  of  Palladio. 

This  celebrated  artist  was  appointed  general  surveyor 
to  King  James  I.,  under  whose  auspices  the  science  of 
Masonry  flourished.  He  was  nominated  Grand  Master  of 
England,  and  was  deputised  by  his  sovereign  to  preside 
over  the  Lodges.  During  his  administration,  several 
learned  men  were  initiated  into  the  Order,  and  the 
society  considerably  increased  in  consequence  and  repu- 
tation. Ingenious  artists  daily  resorted  to  England, 
where  they  met  with  great  encouragement ;  Lodges 
were  instituted  as  seminaries  of  instruction  in  the  sciences 
and  polite  arts,  after  the  model  of  the  Italian  schools 
the  Communication's  of  the  Fraternity  were  established, 
and  the  annual  festivals  regularly  observed. 

Many  curious  and  magnificent  structures  were  finished 
under  the  direction  of  this  accomplished  architect ;  and, 
among  the  rest,  he  was  employed,  by  command  of  his 
sovereign,  to  plan  a  new  palace  at  Whitehall,  worthy  the 
residence  of  the  kings  of  England,  which  he  accordingly 
executed  ;  but,  for  want  of  a  parliamentary  fund,  no  more 
of  the  plan  than  the  present  Banqueting-house28  was  fin- 

28  This  building  is  said  to  contain  the  finest  single  room  of  its  ex- 
tent since  the  days  of  Augustus,  and  was  intended  for  the  reception 
of  ambassadors,  and  other  audiences  of  state.  The  whole  is  a  regu- 
lar and  stately  building,  of  three  stories ;  the  lowest  has  a  rustic  wall, 
with  small  square  windows,  and  by  its  strength  happily  serves  as  a 


OF    MASONRY.  131 

ished.  In  1607,  the  foundation-stone  of  this  elegant  piece 
of  true  Masonry  was  laid  by  King  James,  in  presence  ol 
Grand  Master  Jones,  and  his  Wardens,  William  Herbert, 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  Nicholas  Stone,  Esq.,  Master- 
masons  of  England,  who  were  attended  by  many  brother^ 
clothed  in  form,  and  other  eminent  persons,  who  had  been 
invited  on  the  occasion.  The  ceremony  was  conducted 
with  great  pomp  and  splendour,  and  a  purse  of  broad 
pieces  of  gold  laid  upon  the  stone,  to  enable  the  Masons 
fco  regale. 

Inigo  Jones  continued  in  the  office  of  Grand  Master 
till  1618,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, under  whose  auspices  many  eminent,  wealthy,  and 
learned  men  were  initiated,  arid  the  mysteries  of  the  Order 
held  in  high  estimation. 

On  the  death  of  King  James,  in  1625,  Charles  ascended 
the  throne.  The  Earl  of  Pembroke  presided  over  the 
Fraternity  till  1630,  when  he  resigned  in  favour  of  Henry 
Danvers,  Earl  of  Danby;  who  was  succeeded,  in  1633, 
by  Thomas  Howard,  Earl  of  Arundel,  the  progenitor  of 
the  Norfolk  family.  In  1635,  Francis  Russell,  Earl  of 
Bedford,  accepted  the  government  of  the  Society ;  but 
inigo  Jones  having,  with  indefatigable  assiduity,  continued 
to  patronize  the  Lodges  during  his  lordship's  administra- 

oasis  for  the  Orders.  Upon  this  is  raised  the  Ionic,  with  columns  and 
pilasters ;  and  between  the  columns  are  well-proportioned  windows, 
with  arched  and  pointed  pediments  :  over  these,  is  placed  the  proper 
entablature  ;  on  which  is  raised  a  second  series  of  the1*  Corinthian 
order,  consisting  of  columns  and  pilasters,  like  the  other,  column  be- 
ing placed  over  column,  and  pilaster  over  pilaster.  From  the  capitals 
are  carried  festoons,  which  meet  with  masks  and  other  ornaments  in 
the  middle.  This  series  is  also  crowned  with  its  proper  entablature, 
on  which  is  raised  the  balustrade,  with  Attic  pedestals  between,  which 
crown  the  work.  The  whole  is  finely  proportioned,  and  happily  exe- 
cuted. The  projection  of  the  columns  from  the  wall  has  a  fine  effect 
in  the  entablatures ;  which,  being  brought  forward  in  the  same  propor- 
tion, yields  that  happy  diversity  of  light  and  shade  so  essential  to  true 
architecture.  The  internal  decorations  are  also  striking.  The  ceil- 
ing of  the  grand  room,  in  particular,  which  is  now  used  as  a  chapel, 
is  richly  painted  by  the  celebrated  Sir  Peter  Paul  Rubens,  who  was 
ambassador  in  England  in  the  time  of  Charles  I.  The  subject  is,  tho 
entrance,  inauguration,  and  coronation  of  King  James,  represented 
by  Pagan  emblems  ;  and  it  is  justly  esteemed  one  of  the  most  capital 
performances  of  this  eminent  master.  It  has  been  pronounced  one  ot 
the  finest  ceilings  in  the  world. 


132  ILLUSTRATIONS 

tion,  he  was  re-elected  the  following  year  and  continued 
in  office  till  his  death,  in  1646.29 

89  That  Lodges  continued  regularly  to  assemble  at  this  time,  appears 
from  the  Diary  of  the  learned  antiquary  Elias  Ashmole,  where  he 
says  : — "  I  was  made  a  Freemason  al  Warrington,  Lancashire,  with 
Colonel  Henry  Mainwaring,  of  Kerthingham,  in  Cheshire,  by  Mr. 
Richard  Penket,  the  Warden,  and  the  Fellow  Crafts,  (all  of  whom 
are  specified,)  on  16th  October,  1646."  In  another  place  of  his  diary 
he  says :  "  On  March  the  10th,  1682,  about  5  hor.  post  merid.,  I  re- 
ceived a  summons  to  appear  at  a  Lodge,  to  be  held  the  next  day,  at 
Masons'  Hall  in  London — March  11.  Accordingly  I  went,  and  about 
noon  was  admitted  into  the  fellowship  of  Free-masons,  Sir  William 
Wilson,  Rnt.,  Captain  Richard  Borthwick,  Mr.  William  Woodman. 
Mr.  William  Gray,  Mr.  Samuel  Taylour,  and  Mr.  William  Wise.  I 
was  the  senior  fellow  among  them,  it  being  thirty-five  years  since  I 
was  admitted.  There  were  present,  beside  myself,  the  fellows  after 
named ;  Mr.  Thomas  Wise,  Master  of  the  Masons'  Company  this 
present  year,  Mr.  Thomas  Shorthose,  and  seven  more  old  Freema- 
sons. We  all  dined  at  the  Half-moon  Tavern,  Cheapside,  at  a  noble 
dinner  prepared  at  the  charge  of  the  new  accepted  Masons." 

An  old  record  of  the  Society  describes  a  coat  of  arms  much  the 
same  with  that  of  the  London  company  of  freemen  Masons :  whence 
it  is  generally  believed  that  this  company  is  a  branch  of  that  ancient 
Fraternity ;  and  in  former  times,  no  man,  it  also  appears,  was  made 
free  of  that  company,  until  he  was  initiated  in  some  lodge  of  free 
and  accepted  Masons,  as  a  necessary  qualification.  This  practice 
still  prevails  in  Scotland  among  the  Operative  Masons. 

The  writer  of  Mr.  Ashmole's  Life,  who  was  not  a  Mason,  before  his 
History  of  Berkshire,  p.  6,  gives  the  following  account  of  Masonry : 

44  He  (Mr.  Ashmole)  was  elected  a  brother  of  the  company  of  Free- 
masons ;  a  favour  esteemed  so  singular  by  the  Members,  that  kings 
themselves  have  not  disdained  to  enter  themselves  of  this  Society. 
From  these  are  derived  the  adopted  Masons,  accepted  Masons,  or  Free- 
masons ;  who  are  known  to  one  another  all  over  the  world,  by  certain 
signals  and  watch  words  known  to  them  alone.  They  have  several 
Lodges  in  different  countries  for  their  reception  ;  and,  when  any  of 
them  fall  into  decay,  the  Brotherhood  is  to  relieve  them.  The 
manner  of  their  adoption  or  admission  is  very  formal  and  solemn,  and 
with  the  administration  of  an  oath  of  secrecy,  which  has  had  better 
fate  than  all  other  oaths,  and  has  ever  been  most  religiously  observed  : 
nor  has  the  world  been  yet  able,  by  the  inadvertency,  surprise,  or 
folly  of  any  of  its  members,  to  dive  into  this  mystery,  or  make  the 
least  discovery." 

In  some  of  Mr.  Ashmole's  manuscripts,  there  are  many  valuable 
collections  relating  to  the  history  of  the  Freemasons,  as  may  be 
gathered  from  the  letters  of  Dr.  Rnipe,  of  Christ-church,  Oxford,  to 
the  publisher  of  Ashmole's  Life  ;  the  following  extracts  from  which 
will  authenticate  and  illustrate  many  facts  in  this  history  : 

44  As  to  the  ancient  Society  of  Free-masons,  concerning  whom  you 
are  desirous  of  knowing  what  may  be  known  with  certainty,  I  shall 
only  tell  you,' that  if  our  worthy  Brother,  E.  Ashmole,  Esq.,  had  exe- 


OF    MASONRY.  133 

The  taste  of  this  celebrated  architect  was  displayed  in 
many  curious  and  elegant  structures,  both  in  London  and 
the  country ;  particularly  in  designing  the  magnificent 
row  of  Great  Queen-street,  and  the  west  side  of  Lincoln's 
Inn  Fields,  with  Lindsey-house  in  the  centre ;  the  late 
Chirurgeons'-hall  and  theatre,  now  Barbers'-hall,  in  Monk- 
well-street  ;  Shaftesbury-house,  late  the  London  Lying- 
in-Hospital  for  Married  Women,  in  Aldersgate-street ; 
Bedford- ho  use,  in  Bloomsbury-square,  which  is  now  taken 
down  to  make  room  for  the  new  buildings  in  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Duke  of  Bedford's  town  estate;  Berkeley 
House,  Piccadilly,  lately  burnt,  and  rebuilt,  now  in  the 
possession  of  the  Duke  of  Devonshire ;  and  York-stairs, 
on  the  bank  of  the  Thames,  &c.  Beside  these,  he 


cuted  his  intended  design,  our  Fraternity  had  been  as  much  obliged 
to  him  as  the  Brethren  of  the  most  noble  Order  of  the  Garter.  I 
would  not  have  you  surprised  at  this  expression,  or  think  it  at  all  too 
assuming.  The  Sovereigns  of  that  Order  have  not  disdained  our  fel- 
lowship, and  there  have  been  times  when  Emperors  were  also  Free- 
masons. What,  from  Mr.  Ashmole's  collection,  I  could  gather  was, 
that  the  report  of  our  Society  taking  rise  from  a  bull  granted  by  the 
pope  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  to  some  Italian  architects,  to  travel 
over  all  Europe  to  erect  chapels,  was  ill  founded.  Such  a  bull  there 
was,  and  those  architects  were  Masons  ;  but  this  bull,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  learned  Mr.  Ashmole,  was  confirmative  only,  and  did  not  by 
any  means  create  our  Fraternity,  or  even  establish  them  in  this  king- 
dom. But  as  to  the  time  and  manner  of  that  establishment,  some- 
thing I  shall  relate  from  the  same  collections. 

"  St.  Alban.  the  proto-martyr,  established  Masonry  here,  and  from 
his  time  it  flourished,  more  or  less,  according  as  the  world  went,  down  to 
the  days  of  King  Athelstane  who,  for  the  sake  of  his  brother  Edwin, 
granted  the  Masons  a  charter.  Under  our  Norman  princes  they  fre- 
quently received  extraordinary  marks  of  royal  favour.  There  is  no 
doubt  to  be  made,  that  the  skill  of  Masons,  which  was  always  tran- 
scendently  great,  even  in  the  most  barbarous  times  ;  their  wonderful 
kindness  and  attachment  to  each  other,  how  different  soever  in  con- 
dition; and  their  inviolable  fidelity  in  keeping  .religiously  their  se- 
crets ;  must  have  exposed  them,  in  ignorant,  troublesome,  and  super- 
stitious times,  to  a  vast  variety  of  adventures,  according  to  the  dif- 
ferent state  of  parties,  and  other  alterations  in  government.  By  the 
way,  it  may  be  noted,  that  the  Masons  were  always  loyal,  which  ex- 
posed them  to  great  severities  when  power  wore  the  appearance  of 
justice,  and  those  who  committed  treason  punished  true  men  as  trai- 
tors. Thus,  in  the  3rd  year  of  Honry  VI.,  an  act  passed  to  abolish 
the  society  of  Masons,  and  to  hinder,  under  grievous  penalties,  the 
holding  Chapters,  Lodges,  or  other  regular  assemblies ;  yet  this  act 
was  afterwards  [virtually]  repealed  ;  and  even  before  that,  King  Henry 
and  several  lords  of  his  court  became  fellows  of  the  Craft. 


134  ILLUSTRATIONS 

designed  Gunnersbury-house,  near  Brentford;  Wilton- 
house,  in  Wiltshire ;  Castle- Abbey,  in  Northamptonshire , 
Stoke-park  ;  part  of  the  quadrangle  at  St.  John's,  Oxford; 
Charlton-house,  and  Cobham-hall,  in  Kent ;  Coles-hill,  in 
Berkshire ;  and  the  Grange,  in  Hampshire. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  civil  wars  obstructed  the 
progress  of  Masonry  in  England  for  some  time ;  but  after 
the  Restoration  it  began  to  revive  under  the  patronage 
of  Charles  II.,  who  had  been  received  into  the  Order 
during  his  exile.30 

On  the  27th  December,  1663,  a  general  assembly  was 
held,  at  which  Henry  Jermyn,  Earl  of  St.  Alban's,  was 
elected  Grand  Master ;  who  appointed  Sir  John  Denham, 
Knt.,  his  deputy,  and  Mr.  (afterwards  Sir)  Christopher 
Wren,31  and  John  Webb,  his  wardens.  Several  useful 
regulations32  were  made  at  this  assembly,  for  the  better 

30  Some  Lodges,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.,  were  constituted  by 
leave  of  the  several  noble  Grand  Masters,  and  many  gentlemen  and 
famous  scholars  requested  at  this  time  to  be  admitted  among  the 
Fraternity. 

31  He  was  the  only  son  of  Dr.  Christopher  Wren,  dean  of  Windsor, 
and  was  born  in  1632.     His  genius  for  arts  and  sciences  appeared 
early.     At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  invented  a  new  astronomical  instru- 
ment, by  the  name  of  Pan-organum,  and  wrote  a  treatise  on  the  origin 
of  rivers.     He  invented  a  new  pneumatic  engine,  and  a  peculiar  instru- 
ment of  use  in  gnomonics,  to  solve  this  problem,  viz. :  "  On  a  known 
plane,  in  a  known  elevation,  to  describe  such  lines  with  the  expedite 
turning  of  rundles  to  certain  divisions,  as  by  the  shadow  the  style 
may  show  the  equal  hours  of  the  day."     In  1646.  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen, he  was  admitted  a  gentleman  commoner  in   Wadham-college, 
Oxon,  where  he  greatly  improved  under  the  instructions  and  friend- 
ship of  Dr.  John  Wilkins  and  Dr.  Seth  Ward,  who  were  gentlemen  of 
great  learning,  and  afterwards  promoted  by  King  Charles  II.  to  the 
mitre.     His  other  numerous  juvenile  productions  in  mathematics  prove 
him  to  be  a  scholar  of  the  highest  eminence.     He  assisted  Dr.  Scar- 
borough in  anatomical  preparations,  arid  experiments  upon  the  muscles 
of  the  human  body ;  whence  are  dated  the  first  introduction  of  geo- 
metrical and   mechanical  speculations   in   anatomy.     He  wrote  dis- 
courses on  the  longitude ;  on  the  variations  of  the  magnetical  needle ; 
de  re  nautica  veterum  ;  how  to  find  the  velocity  of  a  ship  in  sailing ; 
of  the  improvement  in  galleys  ;  and  how  to  recover  wrecks.     Beside 
these,  he  treated  on  the  convenient  way  of  using  artillery  on  ship- 
board ;  how  to  build  on  deep  water ;  how  to  build  a  mole  into  the  sea, 
without  Puzzolan  dust,  or  cisterns  ;  and  of  the  improvement  of  river 
navigation,  by  the  joining  of  rivers.     In  short,  the  works  of  this 
excellent  genius  appear  to  be  rather  the  united  efforts  of  a  whole 
century  than  the  production  of  one  man. 

38  Among  other  regulations  made  at  this  assembly  were  the  following  ; 
1.  That  no  person,  of  what  degree  soever,  be  made  or  accepted  a 


OF    MASONRY.  136 

government  of  the  Lodges,  and  the  greatest  harmony 
prevailed  among  the  brethren  at  their  various  meet- 
ings. 

Thomas  Savage,  Earl  of  Rivers,  having  succeeded  the 
Earl  of  St.  Alban's  in  the  office  of  Grand  Master  in  June, 
1.666,  Sir  Christopher  Wren  was  appointed  deputy  under 
his  lordship  ;  in  which  office  he  distinguished  himself 
more  than  any  of  his  predecessors  in  promoting  the  pros- 
perity of  the  few  Lodges  that  occasionally  met  at  this 
time,  particularly  the  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul's,33  now  the 
Lodge  of  Antiquity,  which  he  patronized  upwards  of 
eighteen  years.  The  honours  which  this  celebrated 
character  afterwards  received  in  the  Society,  are  evident 

E  roofs   of  the   attachment   of  the   Fraternity   towards 
im. 

Freemason  unless  in  a  regular  Lodge,  whereof  one  to  be  a  Master  or  a 
Warden  in  that  limit  or  division  where  such  Lodge  is  kept,  and  ano- 
ther to  be  a  craftsman  in  the  trade  of  Freemasonry. 

2.  That  no  person  hereafter  shall  be  accepted  a  Freemason,  but 
such  as  are  of  able  body,  honest  parentage,  good  reputation,  and  an 
observer  of  the  laws  of  the  land. 

3.  That  no  person,  hereafter,  who  shall  be  accepted  a  Freemason 
shall  be  admitted  into  any  Lodge  or  assembly,  until  he  has  brought  a 
certificate  of  the  time  and  place  of  his  acceptation  from  the  Lodge  that 
accepted  him,  unto  the  Master  of  that  limit  or  division  where  such 
Lodge  is  kept.     And  the  said  Master  shall  enrol  the  same  in  a  roll  of 
parchment  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  and  shall  give  an  account  of 
all  such  acceptations  at  every  general  .assembly. 

4.  That  every  person  who  is  now  a  Freemason,  shall  bring  to  the 
Master  a  note  of  the  time  of  his  acceptation,  to  the  end  the  same  may 
be  enrolled  in  such  priority  of  place  as  the  Brother  deserves ;  and 
that  the  whole  company  and  fellows  may  the  better  know  each  other. 

5.  That,  for  the  future,  the  said  Fraternity  of  Freemasons  shall  be 
regulated  and  governed  by  one  Grand  Master,  and  as  many  Wardens 
as  the  said  Society  shall  think  fit  to  appoint  at  every  annual  general 
assembly. 

6.  That  no  person  shall  be  accepted,  unless  he  be  twenty-one  years 
old  or  more. 

Several  records  of  the  Society,  of  this  and  the  preceding  reign,  were 
lost  at  the  Revolution :  and  not  a  few  were  too  hastily  burnt  in  our 
own  times  by  some  scrupulous  brothers,  from  a  fear  of  making  dis- 
coveries prejudicial  to  the  interests  of  the  Order. 

J3  It  appears  from  the  records  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  that  Mr. 
Wren  at  this  time  attended  the  meetings  regularly :  and  that,  during 
his  presidency,  he  presented  to  that  Lodge  three  mahogany  candlesticks 
which  are  still  preserved,  and  highly  prized,  as  a  memento  of  the  esteem 
of  the  honourable  donor. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


SECT.  VI. 

The  History  of  Masonry  in  England  frvm  the  Fire  of  Lon- 
don34 to  the  Accession  of  George  I. 

THE  year  1666  afforded  a  singular  and  awful  occasion 
for  the  utmost  exertion  of  Masonic  abilities.  The  city 
of  London,  which  had  been  visited  in  the  preceding  year 
by  the  plague,  to  whose  ravages,  it  is  computed,  above 
100,000  of  its  inhabitants  fell  a  sacrifice,85  had  scarcely 
recovered  from  the  alarm  of  that  dreadful  contagion, 
when  a  general  conflagration  reduced  the  greatest  part 
of  the  city  within  the  walls  to  ashes.  This  dreadful 
fire  broke  out  on  the  2d  of  September,  at  the  house  of  a 
baker  in  Pudding-lane,  a  wooden  building,  pitched  on 
the  outside,  as  were  also  all  the  rest  of  the  houses  in  that 
narrow  lane.  The  house  being  filled  with  faggots  and 
brushwood,  soon  added  to  the  rapidity  of  the  flames, 
which  raged  with  such  fury  as  to  spread  four  ways  at 
once. 

Jonas  Moore  and  Ralph  Gatrix,  who  were  appointed 
surveyors  on  this  occasion  to  examine  the  ruins,  reported, 
that  the  fire  over-ran  373  acres  within  the  walls,  and 
burnt  13,000  houses,  89  parish  churches,  besides  chapels, 
leaving  only  11  parishes  standing.  The  Royal  Exchange, 
Custom-house,  Guildhall,  Blackwull-hall,  St.  Paul's  cathe- 
dral, Bridewell,  the  two  compters,  fifty-two  city  com- 
panies' halls,  and  three  city  gates,  were  all  demolished. 
The  damage  was  computed  at  10,000,000/.  sterling.30 

After  so  sudden  and  extensive  a  calamity,  it  became 

34  For  many  of  the  particulars  contained  in  this  section,  I  am 
indebted  to  Mr.  Noorthouck's  edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions, 
published  in  1784 ;  which,  much  to  the  honour  of  that  gentleman,  is 
executed  in  a  masterly  manner,  and  interspersed  with  several  judicious 
remarks. 

10  The  streets  were  at  this  time  narrow,  crooked,  and  incommodious ; 
the  houses  built  chiefly  of  wood,  close,  dark,  and  ill-contrived ;  with 
several  stories  projecting  beyond  each  other  as  they  rose,  over  the 
contracted  streets.  Thus  the  free  circulation  of  air* was  obstructed, 
the  people  breathed  a  stagnant  and  unwholesome  element,  replete  with 
foul  effluvia,  sufficient  of  itself  to  generate  putrid  disorders.  From 
this  circumstance,  the  inhabitants  were  continually  exposed  to  con- 
tagious disorders,  and  the  buildings  to  the  ravages  of  fire. 

*e  Anderson's  History  of  Commerce,  vol.  ii..  p.  130. 


OP    MASONRY.  137 

necessary  to  adopt  some  regulations  to  guard  against 
any  such  catastrophe  in  future.  It  was  therefore  deter- 
mined, that  in  all  the  new  buildings  to  be  erected,  stone 
and  brick  should  be  substituted  in  the  room  of  timber. 
The  King  and  the  Grand  Master  immediately  ordered 
Deputy  Wren  to  draw  up  the  plan  of  a  new  city,  with 
broad  and  regular  streets.  He  was  also  appointed  sur- 
veyor-general and  principal  architect  for  rebuilding  the 
city,  the  cathedral  of  St.  Paul,  and  all  the  parochial 
churches  enacted  by  parliament,  in  lieu  of  those  thai 
were  destroyed,  with  other  public  structures.  This  gen- 
tleman, conceiving  the  charge  too  important  for  a  single 
person,  selected  Mr.  Robert  Hook,  professor  of  Geometry 
in  Gresham  college,  to  assist  him ;  who  was  immediately 
employed  in  measuring,  adjusting,  and  setting  out  the 
ground  of  the  private  streets  to  the  several  proprietors. 
Dr.  Wren's  model  and  plan  were  laid  before  the  King 
and  the  House  of  Commons,  and  the  practicability  of  the 
whole  scheme,  without  the  infringement  of  property, 
clearly  demonstrated :  it  unfortunately  happened,  how- 
ever, that  the  greater  part  of  the  citizens  were  absolutely 
averse  to  alter  their  old  possessions,  and  to  recede  from 
building  their  houses  again  on  the  old  foundations.  Many 
were  unwilling  to  give  up  their  properties,  into  the  hands 
of  public  trustees,  till  they  should  receive  an  equivalent 
of  more  advantage;  while  others  expressed  distrust. 
All  means  were  tried  to  convince  the  citizens  that,  by 
removing  all  the  church-yards,  gardens,  &c.,  to  the  out- 
skirts of  the  city,  sufficient  room  would  be  given  to  aug- 
ment the  streets,  and  properly  to  dispose  of  the  churches, 
halls,  arid  other  public  buildings,  to  the  perfect  satisfac- 
tion of  every  proprietor;  but  the  representation  of  all 
the'se  improvements  had  no  weight.  The  citizens  chose 
to  have  their  old  city  again,  under  all  its  disadvantages, 
rather  than  a  new  one,  the  principles  of  which  they  were 
unwilling  to  understand,  and  considered  as  innovations. 
Thus  an  opportunity  was  lost,  of  making  the  new  city 
the  most  magnificent,  as  well  as  the  most  commodious 
for  health  and  trade,  of  any  in  Europe.  The  architect, 
cramped  in  the  execution  of  his  plan,  was  obliged  to 
abridge  his  scheme,  and  exert  his  utmost  labour,  skill, 
and  ingenuity,  to  model  the  city  in  the  manner  in  which 
it  has  since  appeared. 


138  ILLUSTRATIONS 

On  the  23rd  of  October,  1667,  the  King,  in  person, 
levelled  in  form  the  foundation-stone  of  the  new  Royal 
Exchange,  now  allowed  to  be  the  finest  in  Europe;  and 
on  the  28th  of  September,  1669,  it  was  opened  by  the 
lord  mayor  and  aldermen.  Round  the  inside  of  the 
square,  above  the  arcades,  and  between  the  windows,  are 
the  statues  of  the  sovereigns  of  England.  In  the  centre 
Of  the  square  is  erected  the  King's  statue  to  the  life,  in  a 
Caesarean  habit  of  white  marble,  executed  in  a  masterly 
manner  by  Mr.  Gibbons,  then  Grand  Warden  of  the 
society. 

In  1668,  the  custom-house  for  the  port  of  London, 
situated  on  the  south  side  of  Thames-street,  was  built, 
adorned  with  an  upper  and  lower  order  of  architecture. 
In  the  latter  are  stone  columns  and  an  entablement  of 
the  Tuscan  order ;  arid  in  the  former,  are  pilasters,  enta- 
blature, and  five  pediments  of  the  Ionic  order.  The 
wings  are  elevated  on  columns,  forming  piazzas;  and  the 
length  of  the  building  is  189  feet;  its  breadth  in  the 
middle,  27 ;  and  at  the  west  end,  60  feet.37 

This  year  also,  Deputy  Wren,  and  his  Warden  Webb, 
finished  the  Theatrum  Sheldortium  at  Oxford,  designed 
and  executed  at  the  private  expense  of  Gilbert  Sheldon, 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  an  excellent  architect,  and 
able  designer.  On  the  9th  of  July,  1669,  the  cape-stone 
of  this  elegant  building  was  celebrated  with  joy  and 
festivity  by  the  craftsmen,  and  an  elegant  oration  deli- 
vered on  the  occasion  by  Dr.  South. 

Deputy  Wren,  at  the  same  time,  built,  at  the  expense 
of  the  university,  that  other  master-piece  of  architecture, 
the  pretty  museum,  near  this  theatre. 

In  1671,  Dr.  Wren  began  to  build  that  great  fluted 
column  called  the  Monument,  in  memory  of  the  burning 
-and  rebuilding  of  the  city  of  London.  This  stupendous 
pillar  was  finished  in  1677.38 

37  This  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  years  ago,  and  an 
elegant  structure  erected  in  its  stead. — EDITOR. 

38  It  is  24  feet  higher  than  Trajan's  pillar  at  Rome,  and  built  ot 
Portland  stone,  of  the  Doric  order.     Its  altitude,  from  the  ground,  is 
202  feet ;  the  greatest  diameter  of  the  shaft  or  body  of  the  column.  15 
feet ;  the  ground  plinth,  or  bottom  of  the  pedestal,  28  feet  square  j 
and  the  pedestal,  40  feet  high.     Over  the  capital  is  an  iron  balcony, 
encompassing  a  cone  32  feet  high,  supporting  a  blazing  urn  of  gilt 
brass.     Within  is  a  targe  staircase  of  black  marble,  containing  345 


OF    MASONRY.  189 

The  rebuilding  of  the  city  of  London  was  vigorously 
prosecuted,  and  the  restoration  of  St.  Paul's  cathedral 
claimed  particular  attention.  Dr.  Wren  drew  several 
designs,  to  discover  what  would  be  -  most  acceptable  to 


steps,  each  step  ten  inches  and  a  half  broad,  and  six  inches  thick. 
The  west  side  of  the  pedestal  is  adorned  with  curious  emblems,  by  the 
masterly  hand  of  Mr.  Gibber,  father  to  the  late  poet-laureate,  Colley 
Cibber ;  in  which  eleven  principal  figures  are  done  in  alto,  and  the  rest 
in  basso  relievo.  That  to  which  the  eye  is  particularly  directed,  is 
a  female,  representing  the  City  of  London,  sitting  in  a  languishing 
posture,  on  a  heap  of  ruins  Behind  her,  is  Time,  gradually  raising 
her  up ;  and  at  her  side,  a  woman,  representing  Providence,  gently 
touching  her  with  one  hand,  while,  with  a  winged  sceptre  in  the  other, 
she  directs  her  to  regard  two  goddesses  in  the  clouds;  one  with  a 
cornucopia,  denoting  Plenty;  the  other,  with  a  palm  branch,  the 
emblem  of  Peace.  At  her  feet  is  a  bee-hive,  to  show  that,  by  industry 
and  application,  the  greatest  misfortunes  may  be  overcome.  Behind 
Time,  are  the  Citizens,  exulting  at  his  endeavours  to  restore  her ;  and 
beneath,  in  the  midst  of  the  ruins,  is  a  dragon,  the  supporter  of  the 
city  arms,  who  endeavours  to  preserve  them  with  his  paw.  At  the 
north  end,  is  a  view  of  the  City  in  flames,  the  inhabitants  in  con- 
sternation, with  their  arms  extended  upward,  crying  for  assistance. 
Opposite  the  city,  on  an  elevated  pavement,  stands  the  King,  in  a 
Roman  habit,  with  a  laurel  on  his  head,  and  a  truncheon  in  his  hand ; 
who,  on  approaching  her,  commands  three  of  his  attendants  to  descend 
to  her  relief.  The  first  represents  the  Sciences,  with  a  winged  head, 
and  circle  of  naked  boys  dancing  thereon,  and  holding  Nature  in  her 
hand,  with  her  numerous  breasts,  ready  to  give  assistance  to  all.  The 
second  is  Architecture,  with  a  plan  in  one  hand,  and  a  square  and  pair 
of  compasses  in  the  other.  The  third  is  Liberty,  waving  a  hat  in  the 
air,  and  showing  her  joy  at  the  pleasing  prospect  of  the  City's  speedy 
recovery.  Behind  the  king,  stands  his  brother  the  Duke  of  York, 
with  a  garland  in  one  hand,  to  crown  the  rising  city,  and  a  sword  in 
the  other  for  her  defence.  The  two  figures  behind  them  are  Justice 
and  Fortitude  ;  the  former  with  a  ct>ronet,  and  the  latter  with  a  reined 
lion ;  while,  under  the  pavement,  in  a  vault,  appears  Envy  gnawing  a 
heart.  In  the  upper  part  of  the  background,  the  re-construction  of 
the  city  is  represented  by  scaifolds  and  unfinished  houses,  with  builders 
at  work  on  them.  The  north  and  south  sides  of  the  pedestal  have 
each  a  Latin  inscription,  one  describing  the  desolation  of  the  city,  the 
other  its  restoration.  The  east  side  of  the  pedestal  has  an  inscription, 
expressing  the  time  in  which  the  pillar  was  begun,  continued,  and 
brought  to  perfection.  In  one  line,  continued  round  the  base,  are 
these  words : — ;:  This  pillar  was  set  up  in  perpetual  remembrance  of 
the  most  dreadful  burning  of  this  Protestant  city,  begun  and  carried 
on  by  the  treachery  and  malice  of  the  Popish  faction  in  the  beginning 
of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1666,  in  order  to  the  carrying 
on  their  horrid  plot  for  extirpating  the  Protestant  religion,  and  old 
English  liberty,  and  introducing  Popery  and  slavery."  On  the  Duke 
of  York's  accession  to  the  crown,  this  inscription  was  erased;  but 
was  again  restored  soon  after  the  Revolution. 


140  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  general  taste ;  and,  finding  persons  of  all  degrees 
declare  for  magnificence  and  grandeur,  he  formed  a  design 
according  to  the  very  best  style  of  Greek  and  Roman 
architecture,  arid  caused  a  large  model  of  it  to  be  made 
in  wood  ;  but.  the  bishops  deciding  that  it  was  not  suffi- 
ciently in  the  cathedral  style,  the  surveyor  was  ordered 
to  amend  it,  and  he  then  produced  the  scheme  of  the 
present  structure,  which  was  honoured  with  the  King's 
approbation.  The  original  model,  however,  which  was 
only  of  the  Corinthian  order,  like  St.  Peter's  at  Rome, 
is  still  kept  in  an  apartment  of  the  cathedral,  as  a  real 
'curiosity. 

In  1673,  the  foundation-stone  of  this  magnificent 
cathedral,  designed  by  Deputy  Wren,  was  laid  in  solemn 
form  by  the  King,39  attended  by  Grand  Master  Rivers, 
his  architects  and  craftsmen,  in  the  presence  of  the 
nobility  and  gentry,  the  lord  mayor  and  aldermen,  the 
bishops  and  clergy,  &c.  During  the  whole  time  this 
structure  was  building,  Dr.  Wren  acted  as  master  of  the 
work,  and  surveyor,  and  was  ably  assisted  by  his  wardens, 
Mr.  Edward  Strong  and  his  son. 

St.  Paul's  cathedral  is  planned  in  the  form  of  a  long 
cross ;  the  walls  are  wrought  in  rustic,  and  strengthened, 
as  well  as  adorned,  by  two  rows  of  coupled  pilasters,  one 
over  the  other ;  the  lower  Corinthian,  and  the  upper 
Composite.  The  spaces  between  the  arches  of  the  win- 
dows, and  the  architecture  of  the  lower  order,  as  well  as 
those  above,  are  filled  with  a  variety  of  enrichments. 

The  west  front  is  graced  with  a  most  magnificent  por- 
tico, a  noble. pediment,  an<J  two  stately  turrets.  There 
is  a  grand  flight  of  steps  of  black  marble  that  extend  the 
whole  length  of  the  portico,  which  consists  of  twelve 
lofty  Corinthian  columns  below,  and  eight  of  the  Com- 
posite order  above;  these  are  all  coupled  and  fluted. 
The  upper  series  support  a  noble  pediment,  crowned 
with  its  acroteria;  and  in  this  pediment  is  an  elegant 
representation  in  bas-relief  of  the  conversion  of  St.  Paul, 
executed  by  Mr.  Bird,  an  artist  whose  name,  on  account 
of  this  piece  alone,  is  worthy  of  being  transmitted  to 

39  The  mallet  with  which  the  king  levelled  this  foundation-stone 
was  delivered  by  Sir  Christopher  Wren  to  the  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul, 
now  the  Lodgo  of  Antiquity  where  it  is  still  preserved  as  a  great 
curiosity. 


OF    MASONRY.  141 

posterity.  The  figures  are  well  executed ;  the  magnificent 
figure  of  St.  Paul,  on  the  apex  of  the  pediment,  with  St. 
Peter  on  his  right,  and  St.  James  on  his  left,  produce  a 
fine  effect.  The  four  Evangelists,  with  their  proper 
emblems,  on  the  front  of  the  towers,  are  judiciously  dis- 
posed, and  skilfully  finished ;  St.  Matthew  is  distinguished 
by  an  angel ;  St.  Mark,  by  a  lion  ;  St.  Luke,  by  an  ox  ; 
and  St.  John,  by  an  eagle. 

To  the  north  portico,  there  is  an  ascent  by  twelve  cir- 
cular steps  of  black  marble,  and  its  dome  is  supported 
by  six  grand  Corinthian  columns.  Upon  the  dome  is  a 
wrell-proportioned  urn,  finely  ornamented  with  festoons ; 
over  the  urn  is  a  pediment,  supported  by  pilasters  in  the 
wall,  in  the  face  of  which  are  carved  the  royal  arms,  with 
the  regalia  supported  by  angels.  Statues  of  five  of  the 
apostles  are  placed  on  the  top,  at  proper  distances. 

The  south  portico  answers  to  the  north,  and,  like 
that,  is  supported  by  six  noble  Corinthian  columns ;  but 
as  the  ground  is  considerably  lower  on  this  side  of  the 
church  than  the  other,  the  ascent  is  by  a  flight  of 
twenty-five  steps.  This  portico  has  also  a  pediment 
above,  in  which  is  a  phoenix  rising  out  of  the  flames, 
with  the  motto,  RESURGAM,40  underneath  it,  as  an  emblem 
of  rebuilding  the  church.  On  this  side  of  the  building 
are  likewise  five  statues,  which  correspond  with  those 
on  the  apex  of  the  north  pediment. 

At  the  east  end  of  the  church  is  a  sweep,  or  circular 
projection,  for  the  altar,  finely  ornamented  with  the 
orders,  and  with  sculpture ;  particularly  a  noble  piece 
in  honourof  King  William  III. 

The  dome,  which  rises  in  the  centre  of  the  whole,  is 
superlatively  grand.  Twenty  feet  above  the  roof  of  the 
church  is  a  circular  range  of  thirty-two  columns,  with 
niches  place'd  exactly  against  others  within.  These  are 

*°  A  curious  accident  is  said  to  have  given  rise  to  this  device,  which 
was  particularly  observed  by  the  architect  as  a  favourable  omen. 
When  Dr.  Wren  was  marking  out  the  dimensions  of  the  building,  and 
had  fixed  on  the  centre  of  the  great  dome,  a  common  labourer  was 
ordered  to  bring  him  a  flat  stone  from  among  the  rubbish,  to  leave  as 
a  direction  to  the  masons.  The  stone  which  the  man  brought  hap- 
pened to  be  a  piece  of  a  gravestone,  with  nothing  remaining  of  the 
inscription  but  this  single  word,  in  large  capitals,  RESURGAM ;  and 
this  circumstance  left  an  impression  on  Dr.  Wren's  mind,  that  could 
never  afterwards  be  erased. 


142  ILLUSTRATIONS 

terminated  by  their  entablature,  which  supports  a  hand- 
some gallery,  adorned  with  a  balustrade.  Above  these 
columns  is  a  range  of  pilasters,  with  windows  between ; 
and  from  the  entablature  of  these,  the  diameter  decreases 
very  considerably;  and  two  feet  above  that,  it  is  again 
contracted.  From  this  part  the  external  sweep  of  the 
dome  begins,  and  the  arches  meet  at  52  feet  above.  On 
the  summit  of  the  dome  is  an  elegant  balcony,  and  from 
its  centre  rises  the  lantern,  adorned  with  Corinthian 
columns.  The  whole  is  terminated  by  a  ball,  on  which 
stands  a  cross,  both  of  which  are  elegantly  gilt. 

This  noble  fabric  is  surrounded,  at  a  proper  distance, 
by  a  dwarf-stone  wall,  on  which  is  placed  the  most 
magnificent  balustrade  of  cast  iron  perhaps  in  the  uni- 
verse, four  feet  six  inches  in  height,  exclusive  of  the  wall. 
In  this  enlcosure  are  seven  beautiful  iron  gates,  which, 
together  with  the  balustres,  in  number  about  2500, 
weigh  200  tons  and  85  pounds. 

In  the  centre  of  the  area  of  the  grand  west  front,  on 
a  pedestal  of  excellent  workmanship,  stands  a  statue 
of  Queen  Anne,  formed  of  white  marble,  with  proper 
decorations.  -The  figures  on  the  base  represent  Britannia, 
with  her  spear;  Gallia,  with  the  crown  in  her  lap; 
Hibernia,  with  her  harp;  and  America,  with  her  bow. 
These,  and  the  colossal  statues  with  which  the  church 
is  adorned,  were  executed  by  the  ingenious  Mr.  Hill. 

A  strict  regard  to  the  situation  of  this  cathedral,  due 
east  and  west,  has  given  it  an  oblique  appearance  with 
respect  to  Ludgate-street  in  front;  so  that  the  great 
front  gate  in  the  surrounding  iron  rails,  being  made  to 
regard  the  street  in  front,  rather  than  the  church  to 
which  it  belongs,  the  statue  of  the  Queen  Anne,  which 
is  exactly  in  the  middle  of  the  west  front,  is  thrown 
on  one  side  the  straight  approach  from  the'  gate  to  the 
church,  and  gives  an  idea  of  the  whole  edifice  being 
awry. 

Under  the  grand  portico,  at  the  west  end,  are  three 
doors,  ornamented  at  the  top  with  bas-relief.  The 
middle  door,  which  is  by  far  the  largest,  is  cased  with 
white  marble,  and  over  it  is  a  fine  piece  of  basso-relievo, 
in  which  St.  Paul  is  represented  preaching  to  the  Bereans. 
On  entering  the  door,  the  mind  is  struck  by  the  extent 
of  the  vista.  An  arcade,  supported  by  lofty  and  massy 


OF    MASONRY.  .          143 

pillars  on  each  hand,  divides  the  church  into  the  body 
and  two  aisles;  and  the  view  is,  terminated  by  the  altar 
at  the  extremity  ofv  the  choir;  subject,  nevertheless,  to 
the  intervention  of  the  organ  standing  across,  which 
forms  a  heavy  obstruction.  The  pillars  are  adorned  with 
columns  and  pilasters  of  the  Corinthian  and  Composite 
orders;  and  the  arches  of  the  roof  are  enriched  with 
shields,  festoons,  chaplets,  and  other  ornaments.  In  the 
aisle,  on  one  hand,  is  the  consistory;  and,  opposite,  on 
the  other,  the  morning-prayer  chapel.  These  have  very 
beautiful  screens  of  carved  wainscot,  which  are  much 
admired. 

Over  the  centre,  where  the  great  aisles  cross  each 
otheu,  is  the  grand  cupola,  or  dome,  the  vast  concave  of 
which  inspires  a  pleasing  awe.  Under  its  centre  is  fixed, 
in  the  floor,  a  brass  plate,  round  which  the  pavement 
is  beautifully  variegated;  but  the  figures  into  which 
it  is  formed  can  nowhere  be  so  well  seen  as  from  the 
whispering-gallery  above.  Here  the  spectator  has  at 
once  a  full  view  of  the  organ,  richly  ornamented  with 
carved  work,  and  the  entrance  to  the  choir  directly  under 
it.  The  two  aislqs  on  the  side  of  the  choir,  as  well  as 
the  choir  itself,  are  inclosed  with  veiy  fine  iron  rails 
and  gates. 

The  altar-piece  is  adorned  with  four  noble  fluted 
.pilasters,  painted  and  veined  with  gold,  in  imitation  of 
lapis  lazuli,  and  their  capitals  are  double  gilt.  In  the 
intercolumniations  below  are  nine  marble  panels,  and 
above  are  six  windows,  in  the  two  series.  The  floor  of 
the  whole  church  is  paved  with  marble ;  and  within  the 
rails  of  the  altar  with  porphyry,  polished,  and  laid  in 
several  geometrical  figures. 

In  the  great  cupola,  which  is  108  feet  in  diameter,  the 
architect  seems  to  have  imitated  the  Pantheon  at  Rome, 
excepting  that  the  upper  order  is  there  only  umbratile, 
and  distinguished  by  different  coloured  marbles;  while, 
in  St.  Paul's,  it  is  extant  out  of  the  wall.  The  Pantheon 
is  no  higher  within  than  its  diameter;  St.  Peter's  is  two 
diameters;  the  former  shows  its  concave  too  low,  the 
latter  to  high ;  St.  Paul's  is  proportioned  between  both, 
and  therefore  shows  its  concave  every  way,  and  is  very 
lightsome  by  the  windows  of  the  upper  order.  These 
strike  down  the  light  through  the  great  colonnade  that 


144  ILLUSTRATIONS 

encircles  the  dome  without,  and  serve  for  the  abutment, 
which  is  brick  of  the  thickness  of  two  bricks ;  but  as  it 
rises  every  way  five  feet  high,  it  has  a  course  of  excellent 
brick  of  18  inches  long,  banding  through  the  whole 
thickness;  and,  to  make  it  still  more  secure,  it  is  sur- 
rounded with  a  vast  chain  of  iron,  strongly  linked  together 
at  every  ten  feet.  The  chain  is  let  into  a  channel,  cut 
into  the  bandage  of  Portland  stone,  and  defended  from 
the  weather  by  filling  the  groove  with  lead.  The 
concave  was  turned  upon  a  centre,  which  was  judged 
necessary  to  keep  the  work  true ;.  but  the  centre  was 
laid  without  any  standards  below  for  support.  Every 
story  of  the  scaffolding  being  circular,  and  the  ends  of  all 
the  ledgers  meeting  at  so  many  rings,  and  truly  wrought, 
it  supported  itself. 

As  the  old  church  of  St.  Paul  had  a  lofty  spire,  Dr. 
Wren  was  obliged  to  give  his  building  an  altitude  that 
might  secure  it  from  suffering  by  the  comparison.  To 
do  this,  he  made  the  dome  without  much  higher  than 
within,  by  raising  a  strong  brick  cone  over  the  internal 
cupola,  so  constructed  as  to  support  an  elegant  stone 
lantern  on  the  apex.  This  brick  cone  is  supported  by  a 
cupola,  formed  of  timber,  and  covered  with  lead :  between 
which  and  the  cone  are  easy  stairs  up  to  the  lantern. 
Here  the  spectator  may  view  contrivances  that  are  truly 
astonishing.  The  outward  cupola  is  only  ribbed,  which- 
the  architect  thought  less  Gothic  than  to  stick  it  full  of 
such  little  lights  as  are  in  the  cupola  of  St.  Peter's,  that 
could  not  without  difficulty  be  mended,  and,  if  neglected, 
might  soon  jdamage  the  timbers.  As  the  architect  was 
sensible  that  paintings  are  liable  to  decay,  he  intended 
to  have  beautified  the  inside  of  the  cupola  with  mosaic 
work,  which,  without  the  least  fading  of  colours,  would 
be  as  durable  as  the  building  itself;  but  in  this  he  was 
over-ruled,  though  he  had  undertaken  to  procure  four  of 
the  most  eminent  artists  in  that  profession  from  Italy, 
for  the  purpose.  This  part,  therefore,  is  now  decorated 
by  the  pencil  of  Sir  James  Thornhill,  who  has  represented 
the  principal  passages  of  St.  Paul's  life,  in  eight  compart- 
ments. *  These  paintings  are  all  seen  to  advantage  by 
means  of  a  circular  opening,  through  which  the  light  is 
transmitted  with  admirable  effect  from  the  lantern  above; 
but  they  are  now  cracked,  and  sadly  decayed. 


'JF    MASONRY.  14t> 

Divine  service  was  performed  in  the  choir  of  this 
cathedral,  for  the  first  time,  on  the  thanksgiving  day  for 
the  peace  of  Ryswick,  Dec.  2,  1697  ;41  and  the  last  stone 
on  the  top  of  the  lantern  laid  by  Mr.  Christopher  Wren, 
the  son  of  the  architect,  in  17 10.42 

While  the  cathedral  of  St.  Paul's  was  carrying  on  as  a 
national  undertaking,  the  citizens  did  not  neglect  theii 
own  immediate  concerns,  but  restored  such  of  their  halls 
and  gates  as  had  been  destroyed.  In  April,  1675,  was 
laid  the  foundation-stone  of  the  late  Bethlehem-hospital 
for  lunatics,  in  Moorfields.  This  was  a  magnificent  build- 
ing, 540  feet  long,  and  40  broad,  besides  the  two  wings, 
which  were  not  added  until  several  years  afterwards. 
The  middle  and  ends  of  the  edifice  projected  a  little,  and 
were  adorned  with  pilasters,  entablatures,  foliages,  &c., 
which,  rising  above  the  rest  of  the  building,  had  each  a 
flat  roof,  with  a  handsome  balustrade  of  stone.  In  the 
centre  was  an  elegant  turret,  adorned  with  a  clock,  gilt 
ball,  and  vane.  The  whole  building  was  brick  and 
stone,  inclosed  by  a  handsome  wall,  680  feet  long,  of  the 
same  materials.  In  the  centre  of  the  wTall  was  a  large 
pair  of  iron  gates ;  and  on  the  piers  on  which  these  were 
hung,  were  two  images,  in  a  reclining  posture,  one  repre- 
senting raving,  the  other  melancholy,  madness.  The  expres- 
sion of  these  figures  is  admirable;  and  they  were  the 
workmanship  of  Mr.  Gibber,  the  father  of  the  laureat 
before  mentioned.  This  building  is  now  destroyed.43 

The  College  of  Physicians  also,  about  this  time,  dis- 
covered some  taste  in  erecting  their  college  in  Warwick- 
lane,  which,  though  little  known,  is  esteemed  by  good 
judges  a  delicate  building. 

41  Howell's  Medulla  Hist.  Aug. 

42  This  noble  fabric,  lofty  enough  to  be  discerned  at  sea  eastward, 
and  at  Windsor  to  the  west,  was  begun  and  completed  in  the  space 
of  thirty-five   years,    by   one   architect,  the   great   Sir   Christopher 
Wren ;  one  principal  mason,  Mr.  Strong ;  and  under  one  bishop  of 
London,  Dr.  Henry   Compton ;    whereas,  St.  Peter's   at  Rome   was 
155  years  in  building,  under  twelve  successive  architects,  assisted 
by  the  police  and  interest  of  the  Roman  see,  and  attended  by  the 
best  artists  in  sculpture,  statuary,  painting,  and  mosaic  work. 

The  various  parts  of  this  superb  edifice  I  have  been  thus  particular 
in  describing,  as  it  reflects  honour  on  the  ingenious  architect  who 
built  it.  and  as  there  is  not  an  instance  on  record  of  any  work  of  equal 
magnitude  having  ever  been  completed  by  one  man. 

43  A  new  edifice,  for  the  same  purpose,  has  been  erected  in  Stt 
George's  Fields. — EDITOR. 

8      r 


140  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Fraternity  were  now  fully  employed ;  and  by 
them  the  following  parish  churches,  which  had  been 
consumed  by  the  great  fire,  were  gradually  rebuilt,  or 
repaired : 

Allhallows,  Bread-street,  finished  1694;  and  the  steeple  completed 
1697. 

Allhallows  the  Great,  Thames-street,  1683. 

Allhallows,  Lombard-street,  1694. 

St.  Alban,  Wood-street,  1685. 

St.  Anne  and  Agnes,  St.  Anne's-lane,  Aldersgate-street,  1680. 

St.  Andrew's,  Wardrobe,  Puddledock-hill,  1692. 

St.  Andrew's,  Holborn,  1687. 

St.  Anthony's,  Watling-steet,  1682. 

St.  Augustin's.  Watling-street,  1683;  and  the  steeple  finished  1695. 

St.  Bartholomew's,  Royal  Exchange,  1679. 

St.  Benedict's,  Gracechurch-street.  1685. 

St.  Benedict's,  Threadneedle-street,  1673. 

St.  Bennet's,  Paul's  Wharf.  Thames-street,  1683. 

St.  Bride's,  Fleet-street,  1680;  and  farther  adorned  in  1699. 

Christ-church,  Newgate-street,  1687. 

St.  Christopher's,  Threadneedle-street,  (since  taken  down  to  make 
room  for  the  Bank,)  repaired  in  1696. 

St.  Clement  Danes,  in  the  Strand,  taken  down  1680,  and  rebuilt  by 
Sir  Christopher  Wren,  1682. 

St.  Clement's,  East  Cheap,  St.  Clement's-lane,  1686. 

St.  Dionis  Back,  Lime-street,  1674. 

St.  Dunstan's  in  the  East,  Towei-ptreet,  repaired  in  1698. 

St.  Edmond's  the  King,  Lombard-street,  rebuilt  in  1674. 

St.  George,  Botolph-lane,  1674. 

St.  James,  Garlick-hill,  1683. 

St.  James,  Westminster,  1675. 

St.  Lawrence  Jewry,  Cateaton-street,  1677. 

St.  Magnus,  London-bridge,  1676 ;  and  the  steeple  in  1705. 

St.  Margaret,  Lothbury,  1690. 

St.  Margaret  Pattens,  Little  Tower-street,  1687. 

St.  Martin's,  Ludgate,  1684. 

St.  Mary  Abchurch,  Abchurch-lane,  1686. 

St.  Mary's  at  hill,  St.  Mary's-hill,  1672. 

St.  Mary's,  Aldermary,  Bow-lane,  1672. 

St.  Mary  Magdalen,  Old  Fish-street,  1685. 

St.  Mary  Somerset,  Queenhithe,  Thames-street,  1683. 

St.  Mary-le-bow,  Cheapside,  1683.  This  church  was  built  on  the 
wall  of  a  very  ancient  one  in  the  early  time  of  the  Roman  colony ; 
the  roof  is  arched,  and  supported  with  ten  Corinthian  columns  ; 
but  the  principal  ornament  is  the  steeple,  which  is  deemed  an  ad- 
mirable piece  of  architecture,  not  to  be  paralleled  by  that  of  any 
other  parochial  church.  It  rises  from  the  ground  a  square  tower, 
plain  at  bottom,  and  is  carried  up  to  a  considerable  height  in  this 
shape,  but  with  more  ornament  as  it  advances.  The  principal  de- 
coration of  the  lower  part  is  the  door-case ;  a  lofty,  noble  arch, 
faced  with  a  bold  and  well-wrought  rustic,  raised  on  a  plain 
solid  course  from  the  foundation.  Within  the  arch  is  a  portal  of 


OF    MASONRY.  147 

the  Doric  order,  with  well-proportioned  columns;  the  frieze  is 
ornamented  with  triglyphs,  and  with  sculpture  in  the  metopes. 
There  are  some  other  slight  ornaments  in  this  part,  which  is  termi- 
nated by  an  elegant  cornice,  over  which  rises  a  plain  course,  from 
which  the  dial  projects.  Above  this,  in  each  face,  there  is  an 
arched  window,  with  Ionic  pilasters  at  the  sides.  .  The  entablature 
of  the  order  is  well  wrought :  it  has  a  swelling  frieze,  and  supports 
on  the  cornice  an  elegant  balustrade,  with  Attic  pillars  over  Ionic 
columns.  These  sustain  elegant  scrolls,  on  which  are  placed  urns 
with  flames,  and  from  this  part  the  steeple  rises  circular.  There 
is  a  plain  course  to  the  height  of  half  the  scrolls,  and  upon  this  is 
raised  an  elegant  circular  series  of  Corinthian  columns.  These 
support  a  second  balustrade  with  scrolls ;  and  above  there  is  placed 
another  series  of  columns  of  the  Composite  order ;  while,  from  the 
entablature,  rises  a  set  of  scrolls  supporting  the  spire,  which  is 
placed  on  balls,  and  terminated  by  a  globe,  on  which  is  fixed  a  vane. 

&i   Mary  Woolnoth's,  Lombard- street,  repaired  in  1677. 

St.  Mary,  Aldermanbury,  rebuilt  1677. 

St.  Matthew,  Friday- street,  1685. 

St.  Michael,  Basinghall-street,  1679. 

St.  Michael  Royal,  College-hill,  1694. 

St.  Michael,  Queenhithe,  Trinity-lane,  1677. 

St.  Michael,  Wood-street,  1675. 

St.  Michael,  Crooked-lane,  1688. 

St.  Michael,  Cornhill,  1672. 

St.  Mildred,  Bread-street,  1683. 

St.  Mildred,  Poultry,  1676. 

St.  Nicholas,  Cole-abbey,  Old  Fish-street,  1677. 

St.  Glare's,  Old  Jewry,  1673. 

St.  Peter's,  Cornhill,  1681. 

St.  Sepulchre's,  Snow-hill,  1671. 

St.  Stephen's,  Colernan-street,  1676. 

St.  Stephen's,  Walbrook,  behind  the  Mansion-house,  1676.  Many 
encomiums  have  been  bestowed  on  this  church,  for  its  interior 
beauties.  The  dome  is  finely  proportioned  to  the  church,  and 
divided  into  small  compartments,  decorated  with  great  elegance, 
and  crowned  with  a  lantern :  the  roof  is  also  divided  into  compart- 
ments, and  supported  by  noble  Corinthian  columns  raised  on  their 
pedestals.  This  church  has  three  aisles  and  a  cross  aisle,  is  75 
feet  long,  36  broad,  34  high  and  58  to  the  lantern.  It  is  famous 
all  over  Europe,  and  justly  reputed  the  master-piece  of  Sir  Christo- 
pher Wren.  There  is  not  a  beauty,  of  which  the  plan  would  admit, 
that  is  not  to  be  found  here  in  its  greatest  perfection. 

St.  Swithin's,  Cannon- street,  1673. 

St.  Vedast,  Foster-lane,  1697. 

While  these  churches,  and  other  public  buildings, 
were  going  forward,  under  the  direction  of  Sir  Christo- 
pher Wren,  King  Charles  did  not  confine  his  improve- 
ments to  England  alone,  but  commanded  Sir  William 
Bruce,  Bart.,  Grand  Master  of  Scotland,  to  rebuild  the 
palace  of  Holyrood  House,  at  Edinburgh,  which  was  ac- 


148  ILLUSTRATIONS 

cordingly  executed  by  that  architect  in  the  best  Augustan 
style. 

During  the  prosecution  of  the  great  works  above  de- 
scribed, the  private  business  of  the  Society  was  not 
neglected:  Lodges  were  held  at  different  places,  and 
many  new  ones  constituted,  to  which  the  best  architects 
resorted. 

In  1674,  the  Earl  of  Rivers  resigned  the  office  of  Grand 
Master,  and  was  succeeded  by  George  Villiers,  Duke  of 
Buckingham.  He  left  the  care  of  the  Brethren  to  his 
wardens,  and  Sir  Christopher  Wren,  who  still  continued 
to  act  "as  deputy.  In  1679,  the  duke  resigned  in  favour 
of  Henry  Bennet,  Earl  of  Arlington.  Though  this 
nobleman  was  too  deeply  engaged  in  state  affairs  to 
attend  to  the  duties  of  Masonry,  the  Lodges  continued 
to  meet  regularly  under  his  sanction,  and  many  respecta- 
ble gentlemen  joined  the  Fraternity. 

On  the  death  of  the  king,  in  1685,  James  II.  succeed- 
ed to  the  throne,  during  whose  reign  the  Fraternity  were 
much  neglected.  The  P^arl  of  Arlington  dying  this  year, 
the  Lodges  met  in  communication,  and  elected  Sir  Chris- 
topher Wren  Grand  Master,  who  appointed  Mr.  Gabriel 
Gibber  and  Mr.  Edward  Strong  44  his  wardens.  Masonry 
continued  in  a  declining  state  for  many  years,  and  a  few 
Lodges  only  occasionally  met  in  different  places. 

At  the  Revolution,  the  Society  was  so  much  reduced 
in  the  South  of  England,  that  no  more  than  seven  regu- 
lar Lodges  met  in  London  and  its  suburbs,  of  which  two 
only  were  worthy  of  notice;  the  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul's, 
over  which  Sir  Christopher  had  presided  during  the 
building  of  that  structure ;  and  a  Lodge  at  St.  Thomas's 
Hospital,  South wark,  over  which  Sir  Robert  Clayton, 
then  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  presided  during  the  re- 
building of  that  hospital.45 

King  William,  having  been  privately  initiated  into 
Masonry  in  1695,  approved  the  choice  of  Sir  Christopher 
Wren  as  Grand  Master,  and  honoured  the  Lodges  with 
his  royal  sanction,  particularly  one  at  Hampton  Court,  at 

44  Both  of  these  gentlemen  were  members  of  the  old  Lodge  of  St. 
Paul,  with  Sir  Christopher  Wren,  and  bore  a  principal  share  in  all  the 
improvements  which  took  place  after  the  fire  of  London ;  the  latter, 
in  particular,  displayed  his  abilities  in  the  cathedral  of  St.  Paul. 

45  See  the  Book  of  Constitutions.  1738,  pp.  106,  107. 


OF    MASONRY,  149 

which,  it  is  said,  his  majesty  frequently  presided  during 
the  building  of  the  new  part  of  that  palace.  Kensington 
Palace  was  built  during  this  reign,  under  the  direction  of 
Sir  Christopher ;  as  were  also  Chelsea  Hospital,  arid  the 
Palace  of  Greenwich,  the  latter  of  which  had  been  re- 
cently converted  into  an  hospital  for  seamen,  and  finished 
after  the  design  of  Inigo  Jones. 

At  a  general  assembly  and  feast  of  the  Masons,  in  1697, 
many  noble  and  eminent  Brethren  were  present,  and 
among  the  rest,  Charles  Duke  of  Richmond  and  Lenox, 
who  was  at  that  time  Master  of  the  Lodge  at  Chichester. 
His  Grace  was  proposed  and  elected  Grand  Master  for 
the  following  year ;  and  having  engaged  Sir  Christopher 
Wren  to  act  as  his  deputy,  he  appointed  Edward  Strong, 
senior,  and  Edward  Strong,  junior,  his  wardens.  His 
Grace  continued  in  office  only  one  year,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Sir  Christopher,  who  continued  at  the  head  of 
the  Fraternity  till  the  death  of  the  King  in  1702. 

During  the  following  reign,  Masonry  made  no  consider- 
able progress.  Sir  Christopher's  age  and  infirmities 
drawing  off  his  attention  from  the  duties  of  his  office, 
the  Lodges  decreased,  and  the  annual  festivals  were  en- 
tirely neglected46.  The  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul,  and  a 
few  others,  continued  to  meet  regularly,  but  consisted  of 
few  members47.  To  increase  their  numbers,  a  proposi- 
tion was  made,  and  afterwards  agreed  to,  THAT  THE 

PRIVILEGES  OF  MASONRY  SHOULD  NO  LONGER  BE  RESTRICT- 
ED TO  OPERATIVE  MASONS,  BUT  EXTEND  TO  MEN  OF  VARI- 
OUS PROFESSIONS,  PROVIDED  THEY  WERE  REGULARLY  AP- 
PROVED AND  INITIATED  INTO  THE  ORDER.  In  consequence 
of  this  resolution,  many  new  regulations  took  place,  and 
the  Society  once  more  rose  into  notice  and  esteem. 

SECT.  VII. 
History  of  the  Revival  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England. 

ON  the  accession  of  George  I.  the  Masons  in  London 
and  its  environs,  finding  themselves  deprived  of  Sir 
Christopher  Wren,  and  their  annual  meetings  disconti- 
nued, resolved  to  cement  themselves  under  a  new  Grand 

46  Book  of  Constitutions,  1738,  p.  108.  4T  Ibid- 


150  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Master,  and  to  revive  the  communications  and  annual 
festivals  of  the  Society.  With  this  view,  the  Lodges  at 
the  Goose  and  Gridiron,  in  St.  Paul's  Church-yard — the 
Crown,  in  Parker' s-lane,  near  Drury-lane — the  Apple- 
tree  Tavern,  in  Charles-street,  Co  vent-Garden,  and  the 
Rummer  and  Grapes  Tavern,  in  Channel-row,  Westmin- 
ster, (the  only  four  Lodges  in  being  in  the  South  of 
England  at  that  time,)  with  some  other  old  Brethren, 
met  at  the  Apple-tree  Tavern,  above-mentioned,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1717;  and,  having  voted  the  oldest  Master-mason 
then  present  into  the  chair,  constituted  themselves  a 
Grand  Lodge,  pro  temporc,  in  due  form.  At  this  meeting 
it  was  resolved  to  revive  the  Quarterly  Communications 
of  the  Fraternity,  and  to  hold  the  next  annual  assembly 
and  feast  on  the  24th  of  June,  at  the  Goose  and  Gridiron, 
in  St.  Paul's  Church-yard  (in  compliment  to  the  oldest 
Lodge,  which  then  met  there),  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing a  Grand  Master  among  themselves,  till  they  should 
have  the  honour  of  a  noble  brother  at  their  head.  Ac- 
cordingly, on  St.  John  the  Baptist's  day,  1717,  in  the 
third  year  of  the  reign  of  King  George  I.,  the  assembly 
and  feast  were  held  at  the  said  house  ;  when  the  oldest 
Master-mason,  and  the  Master  of  a  Lodge,  having  taken 
the  chair,  a  list  of  proper  candidates  for  the  office  of 
Grand  Master  was  produced;  and  the  names  being  sepa- 
rately proposed,  the  Brethren,  by  a  great  majority  of 
hands,  elected  Mr.  Anthony  Sayer  Grand  Master  of  Ma- 
sons for  the  ensuing  year,  who  was  forthwith  invested 
by  the  said  oldest  Master,  installed  by  the  Master  of  the 
oldest  Lodge,  and  duly  congratulated  by  the  assembly, 
who  paid  him  homage.  The  Grand  Master  then  entered 
on  the  duties  of  his  office,  appointed  his  Wardens,  and 
commanded  the  Brethren  of  the  four  Lodges  to  meet 
him  and  his  Wardens  quarterly  in  communication  ;  en- 
joining them,  at  the  same  time,  to  recommend  to  all  the 
Fraternity  a  punctual  attendance  on  the  next  annual 
assembly  and  least. 

Amongst  a   variety  of  regulations  which  were  pro- 
posed and  agreed  to  at  this  meeting,  was  the  following  : 
*  That  the  privilege  of  assembling  as  Masons,  which  had 
been  hitherto  unlimited48,  should  be  vested  in  certain 

43  A  sufficient  number  of  Masons,  met  together  within  a  certain 


OF    MASONRY.  161 

Lodges  or  Assemblies  of  Masons  convened  in  certain 
places ;  and  that  every  Lodge  to  be  hereafter  convened, 
except  the  four  old  Lodges  at  this  time  existing,  should 
be  legally  authorized  to  act  by  a  warrant  from  the  Grand 
Master  for  the  time  being,  granted  to  certain  individuals 
by  petition,  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  communication ;  and  that  without  such 
warrant  no  Lodge  should  be  hereafter  deemed  regular  or 
constitutional."  In  consequence  of  this  regulation,  seve- 
ral new  Lodges  were  soon  after  convened  in  different 
parts  of  London  and  its  environs,  and  the  Masters  and 
Wardens  of  these  Lodges  were  commanded  to  attend  the 
meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  make  a  regular  report  of 
their  proceedings,  and  transmit  to  the  Grand  Master, 
from  time  to  time,  a  copy  of  any  by-laws  they  might 
form  for  their  own  government ;  that  no  laws  established 
among  them  might  be  contrary  to,  or  subversive  of,  the 
general  regulations,  by  which  the  Fraternity  had  'been 
long  governed,  arid  which  had  been  sanctioned  by  the 
four  Lodges  when  convened  as  a  Grand  Lodge  in  1717. 
In  compliment  to  the  Brethren  of  the  four  old  Lodges, 
by  whom  the  Grand  Lodge  was  first  formed,  it  was 
resolved,  "  That  every  privilege  which  they  collectively 
enjoyed  by  virtue  of  their  immemorial  rights,  they  should 
still  continue  to  enjoy;  and  that  no  law,  rule,  or  regula- 
tion, to  be  hereafter  made  or  passed  in  the  Grand  Lodge, 
should  ever  deprive  them  of  such  privilege,  or  encroach 
on  any  landmark  which  was  at  that  time  established  as 
the  standard  of  masonic  government."  This  resolution 
being  confirmed,  the  old  Masons  in  the  Metropolis,  agree- 
ably to  the  resolutions  of  the  Brethren  at  large,  vested 
all  their  inherent  privileges,  as  individuals,  in  the  fourfold 
Lodges,  in  trust  that  they  would  never  suffer  the  old 
charges  and  ancient  landmarks  to  be  infringed.  The  four 
old  lodges  then  agreed  to  extend  their  patronage  to  every 
lodge  which  should  hereafter  be  constituted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  according  to  the  new  regulations  of  the  Society; 

district,  with  the  consent  of  the  sheriff  or  chief  magistrate  of  the 
place,  were  empowered,  at  this  time,  to  make  Masons,  and  practise 
the  rites  of  Masonry,  without  warrant  of  Constitution.  The  privilege 
was  inherent  in  themselves  as  individuals ;  and  this  privilege  is  still 
enjoyed  by  the  two  old  Lodges  now  extant,  which  act  by  immemorial 
constitution. 


152  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  while  such  lodges  acted  in  conformity  to  the  ancient 
Constitution  of  the  Order,  to  admit  their  Masters  and 
Wardens  and  to  share  with  them  all  the  privileges  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  excepting  precedence  of  rank. 

Matters  being  thus  amicably  adjusted,  the  Brethren  of 
the  four  old  lodges  considered  their  attendance  on  the 
future  Communications  of  the  Society  as  unnecessary ;  and 
therefore,  like  the  other  lodges,  trusted  implicitly  to  their 
Master  and  Wardens,  resting  satisfied  that  no  measure  of 
importance  would  be  adopted  without  their  approbation. 
The  officers  of  the  old  lodges,  however,  soon  began  to 
discover,  that  the  new  lodges,  being  equally  represented 
with  them  at  the  Communications,  might,  in  process  of 
time,  so  far  outnumber  the  old  ones,  as  to  have  it  in  their 
power,  by  a  majority,  to  encroach  on,  or  even  subvert, 
the  privileges  of  the  original  Masons  of  England,  which 
had  been  centred  in  the  tour  old  lodges,  with  the  concur- 
rence of  the  Brethren  at  large,  therefore,  they  very 
wisely  formed  a  code  of  laws  for  the  future  government 
of  the  Society;  to  which  was  annexed  a  conditional 
clause,40  which  the  Grand  Master  for  the  time  being,  his 
successors,  and  the  Master  of  every  lodge  to  be  hereafter 
constituted,  were  bound  to  preserve  inviolate  in  all  time 
coming.  To  commemorate  this  circumstance,  it  has 

49 The  conditional  clause  runs  thus: — "Every  annual  Grand  Lodge 
has  an  inherent  power  and  authority  to  make  new  regulations,  or  to  alter 
these,  for  the  real  benefit  of  this  ancient  Fraternity  ;  provided  always, 

THAT  THE  OLD    LAND-MARKS  BE  CAREFULLY  PRESERVED:    and  that  Such 

alterations  and  new  regulations  be  proposed  and  agreed  to,  at  the  third 
quarterly  communication  preceding  the  annual  grand  feast;  and  that, 
they  be  offered  also  to  the  perusal  of  all  the  Brethren  before  dinner 
in  \priting,  even  of  the  youngest  apprentice  ;  the  approbation  and  con- 
sent of  the  majority  of  all  the  Brethren  present  being  absolutely 
necessary  to  make  the  same  binding  and  obligatory." 

This  remarkable  clause,  with  thirty-eight  regulations  preceding  it, 
all  of  which  are  printed  in  the  first  edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitu- 
tions, were  approved  and  confirmed  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  brethren, 
at  an  annual  assembly  and  feast,  held  at  Stationers'-hall.  on  St.  John 
the  Baptist's  day,  1721,*  and  in  their  presence  subscribed  by  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  four  old  lodges  on  the  one  part ;  and  by 
Philip,  Duke  of  Wharton,  then  Grand  Master,  Theophilus  Desaguliers, 
M.D.  and  F.R.S.,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Joshua  Timson  and  William 
Hawkins,  Grand  Wardens,  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  sixteen 
lodges,  which  had  been  constituted  between  1717  and  1721.  on  the 
other  part. 

•  See  the  first  edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  p.  68. 


<WT« 

.•;   .. 

OF    MASONRY.  V    #*         OP  163 


been  customary,  since  that  time,  for  the  Master  of  the 
oldest  lodge  to  attend  every  Grand  Installation:  and 
taking  precedence  of  all  present,  the  Grand  Master  only 
excepted,  to  deliver  the  book  of  the  original  Consti- 
tutions to  the  newly  installed  Grand  Master,  on  his 
engaging  to  support  the  ancient  charges  and  general 
regulations. 

By  this  prudent  precaution  of  our  ancient  Brethren, 
the  original  Constitutions  were  established  as  the  basis 
of  all  future  masonic  jurisdiction  in  the  south  of  England ; 
and  the*  ancient  land-marks,  as  they  are  emphatically 
styled,  or  the  bounderies  set  up  as  checks  to  innovation, 
were  carefully  secured  against  the  attacks  of  future 
invaders.  The  four  old  lodges,  in  consequence  of  the 
above  compact,  in  which  they  considered  themselves  as  a 
distinct  party,  continued  to  act  by  their  original  authori- 
ty; and,  so  far  from  surrendering  any  of  their  rights, 
had  them  frequently  ratified  and  confirmed  by  the  whole 
Fraternity  in  Grand  Lodge  assembled,  who  always 
acknowledged  their  independent  and  immemorial  power 
to  practise  the  rites  of  Masonry.  No  regulations  of  the 
Society  which  might  hereafter  take  place  could,  therefore, 
operate  with  respect  to  those  lodges,  if  such  regulations 
were  contrary  to,  or  subversive  of,  the  original  Constitu- 
tions, by  which  only  they  were  governed:  and  while 
their  proceedings  were  conformable  to  those  Constitu- 
tions, no  power  known  in  Masonry  could  legally  deprive 
them  of  any  right  or  privilege  which  they  had  ever 
enjoyed. 

iThe  necessity  of  fixing  the  original  Constitutions,  as 
the  standard  by  which  all  future  laws  in  the  Society  are 
to  be  regulated,  was  so  clearly  understood  and  defined 
by  the  whole  Fraternity  at  this  time,  that  it  was  estab- 
lished as  an  unerring  rule,  at  every  installation,  public 
and  private,  for  many  years  afterwards,  to  make  the 
Grand  Master,  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  every 
lodge,  engage  to  support  the  oiiginal  Constitutions;  to 
the  observance  of  which,  also,  every  Mason  was  bound 
at  his  initiation.  Whoever  acknowledges  the  universality 
of  Masonry  to  be  its  highest  glory,  must  admit  the  pro- 
priety of  this  conduct;  for  were  no  standard  fixed  for 
the  government  of  the  Society,  Masonry  might  be  exposed 
to  perpetual  variations,  which  would  effectually  destroy 
8* 


154  ILLUSTRATIONS 

all  the  good  effects  that  have  hitherto  resulted  from  its 
universality  and  extended  progress.50 

During 'the  administration  of  Mr.  Sayer,  the  Society 
made  little  progress.  Several  Brethren  joined  the  old 
lodges;  but  there  appear  to  have  been  only  two  new 
lodges  constituted  under  his  auspices. 

Mr.  Sayer  was  succeeded,  in  1718,  by  George  Payne 

60  When  the  earlier  editions  of  this  book  were  printed,  the  author 
was  not  sufficiently  acquainted  with  this  part  of  the  history  of  Ma- 
sonry in  England.  The  above  particulars  have  been  carefullj^extracted 
from  old  records  and  authentic  manuscripts,  and  are,  in  many  points, 
confirmed  by  the  old  books  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  as  well  as  the 
iirst  and  second  editions  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions. 

The  following  account  of  the  four  old  lodges  may  prove  acceptable 
to  many  readers. 

1.  The  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul,  now  named  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity, 
formerly  held  at  the  Goose  and  Gridiron,  in  St.  Paul's  Church-yard,  is 
still  extant  (in  1820.)  and  regularly  meets  at  the  Freemasons'  Tavern, 
in  Great  Queen-afreet,  Lincoln's- Inn-Fields,  on  the  fourth  Wednesday 
of  January,  February,  March.  May,   June,  October,  and  November, 
every  year.     The  lodge  is  in  a  very  flourishing  state,  and  possesses 
some  valuable  records  and  curious  ancient  relics.. 

2.  The  old  Lodge,  No.  2,  formerly  held  at  the  Crown,  in  Parker's- 
lane,  Drury-lane.  has  been  extinct  above  fifty  years,  by  the  death  of 
its  members. 

3.  The  old  Lodge,  No.  3,  formerly  held  at  the  Apple-tree  Tavern,  in 
Charles-street.  Covent-garden,  has  been  dissolved  many  years.     By 
the  list  of  Lodges  inserted  in  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  printed  in 
1738,  it  appears  that  in  February,  1722-3,  this  lodge  was  removed  to 
the  Queen's   Head,  in  Knave's  Acre,  on  account  of  some  difference 
among  its  members,  and  thai  the  members  who  met  there  came  under 
a  new  Constitution ;  though,  says  the  book   of  Constitutions,  they 
wanted  it  not,  and  ranked  as  No.  10  in  the  list.     Thus  they  inconsider- 
ately renounced  their  former  rank  under  an  immemorial  Constitution. 

4.  The  Lodge  No.  4,  formerly  held  at  the  Rummer  and  Grapes  Tavern, 
in  Channel   Row,  Westminster,  was    thence   removed   to   the    Horn 
Tavern,  in  New  Palace  Yard,  where  it  continued  to  meet  regularly,  till 
within  these  few  years;  when,  finding  themselves  in  a  declining  state, 
the  members  agreed  to  incorporate  with  a  new  and  flourishing  lodge, 
under  the  constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  intitled    TJie  Somerset- 
house  Lodge,  which  immediately  assumed  their  rank. 

It  is  a  question  that  will  admit  of  some  discussion,  whether  any  of 
the  above  old  lodges  can,  while  they  exist  as  lodges,  surrender  their 
rights,  as  those  rights  seem  to  have  been  granted  by  the  old  Masons 
of  the  Metropolis  to  them  in  trust;  and  any  individual  member  of  the 
tour  old  lodges  might  object  to  the  surrender,  and  in  that  case  they 
never  could  be  given  up.  The  four  old  lodges  always  preserved  their 
original  power  of  making,  passing,  and  raising  Masons,  being  termed 
Masters'  Lodges;  while  the  other  Ibdges,  for  many  years  afterwards, 
!.ad  no  such  power;  it  having  been  the  custom  to  pass  and  raise  the 
.Masons  made  bv  them  at  the  Grand  Lodge  only. 


OF    MASONRY.  165 

Esq.;  who  was  very  assiduous  in  recommending  a  strict 
observance  of  the  Communications.  He  collected  many 
very  valuable  manuscripts  on  the  subject  of  Masonry; 
and,  being  determined  to  spare  no  pains  to  ma"ke  himself 
acquainted  with  the  original  government  of  the  Craft, 
he  earnestly  desired  that  the  Brethren  would  bring  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  any  old  writings  or  records  concerning 
the  Fraternity,  to  show  the  usages  of  ancient  times.  In 
consequence  of  this  general  intimation,  several  old  copies 
of  the  Gothic  Constitutions  were  produced,  arranged, 
and  digested. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1719,  another  assembly  and 
feast  was  held  at  the  Goose  and  Gridiron  before-men- 
tioned; when  Dr.  Desaguliers  was  unanimously  elected 
Grand  Master.  At  this  feast,  the  old,  regular,  and 
peculiar  toasts  or  healths  of  the  Freemasons  were  intro- 
duced ;  and  from  this  time  we  may  date  the  rise  of  Free- 
masonry on  its  present  plan  in  the  south  of  England. 
The  lodges,  which  had  considerably  increased  by  the 
vigilance  of  the  Grand  Master,  were  visited  by  many  old 
Masons,  who  had  long  neglected  the  Craft;  several 
noblemen  were  initiated,  and  a  number  of  new  lodges 
constituted. 

At  an  assembly  and  feast,  held  at  the  Goose  and  Grid- 
iron, on  the  24th  June,  1720,  George  Payne.  Esq.,  was 
re-elected  Grand  Master,  and  under  his  mild  and  vigilant 
administration  the  lodges  continued  to  flourish. 

This  year,  at  some  of  the  private  lodges,  to  the  irre- 
parable loss  of  the  Fraternity,  several  valuable  manu- 
scripts, concerning  the  lodges,  regulations,  charges, 
secrets,  and  usages  of  Masons  (particularly  one  written 
by  Mr.  Nicholas  Stone,  the  warden  under  Inigo  Jones,) 
were  too  hastily  burnt  by  some  scrupulous  Brethren,  who 
were  alarmed  at  the  intended  publication  of  the  masonic 
Constitutions. 

At  a  Quarterly  Communication,  held  this  year  at  the 
Goose  and  Gridiron,  on  the  festival  of  St.  John  the 
Evangelist,  it  was  agreed,  That,  in  future,  the  new 
Grand  Master  should  be  named  and  proposed  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  some  time  before  the  feast;51  and,  if 

51  By  an  old  record  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  it  appears,  that  the 
new  Grand  Master  was  always  proposed,  and  presented  for  approba- 
tion in  that  lodge,  before  his  election  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 


156  ILLUSTRATIONS 

approved,  and  present,  he  shall  be  saluted  as  Grand 
Master  elect ;  and  that  every  Grand  Master  when  he  is 
installed,  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  appointing  his 
deputy  and  wardens,  according  to  ancient  custom. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge  held  in  ample  form  on  Lady-day, 
1721,  Brother  Payne  proposed  for  his  successor,  John, 
Duke  of  Montagu,  at  that  time  Master  of  a  lodge.  His 
( *  race,  being  present,  received  the  compliments  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  The  Brethren  expressed  great  joy  at  the 
prospect  of  being  once  more  patronized  by  the  nobility ; 
and  unanimously  agreed,  that  the  next  assembly  and 
feast  should  be  held  at  Stationers'-hall ;  and  that  a  proper 
number  of  stewards  should  be  appointed  to  provide  the 
entertainment.  Mr.  Josiah  Villenau,  an  upholder  in  the 
Borough,  however,  generously  undertook  the  whole 
management  of  the  business,  and  received  the  thanks  of 
the  Society  for  his  attention. 

While  Masonry  was  spreading  its  influence  over  the 
Southern  part  of  the  kingdom,  it  was  not  neglected  in 
the  North.  The  General  Assembly,  or  Grand  Lodge,  at 
York,  continued  regularly  to  meet  as  heretofore.  In 
1705,  under  the  direction  of  Sir  George  Tempest,  Bart., 
then  Grand  Master,  several  Lodges  met,  and  many  worthy 
Brethren  were  initiated  in  York  and  its  neighbourhood. 
Sir  Qeorge  being  succeeded  by  the  Right  Hon.  Robert 
Benson,  lord  mayor  of  York,  many  meetings  of  the  Fra- 
ternity were  held  at  different  times  in  that  city ;  and  the 
grand  feast  during  his  mastership  is  said  to  have  been 
very  brilliant.  Sir  William  Robinson,  Bart.,  succeeded 
Mr.  Benson  in  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  and  the  Fra- 
ternity seem  to  have  considerably  increased  in  the  North 
under  his  auspices.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir  Walter 
Hawkesworth,  Bart.,  who  governed  the  Society  with 
great  credit.  At  the-  expiration  of  his  mastership,  Sir 
George  Tempest  was  elected,  a  second  time,  Grand 
Master;  and  from  the  time  of  his  election  in  1714  to 
1725,  the  Grand  Lodge  continued  regularly  to  assemble 
in  York,  under  the  direction  of  Charles  Fairfax,  Esq., 
Sir  Walter  Hawkesworth,  Bart.,  Edward  Bell,  Esq., 
Charles  Bathurst,  Esq.,  Edward  Thomson,  Esq.,  M.P., 
John  Johnson,  M.D.,  and  John  Marsden,  Esq. ;  all  of 
whom,  in  rotation,  during  the  above  period,  regularly 
filled  the  office  of  Grand  Master  in  the  North  of  England 


OF    MASONRY.  167 

From  this  account,  which  is  authenticated  by  the 
books  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  York,  it  appears,  that  the 
revival  of  Masonry  in  the  South  of  England  did  not 
interfere  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Fraternity  in  the 
North.  For  a  series  of  years,  the  most  perfect  harmony 
subsisted  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  and  private 
Lodges  flourished  in  both  parts  of  the  kingdom  under 
their  separate  jurisdiction.  The  only  distinction  which 
the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  North  appears  to  have  retained 
after  the  revival  of  Masonry  in  the  South,  is  in  the  title 
which  they  claim,  viz.,  The  Grand  Lodge  of  all  England; 
while  the  Grand  Lodge  in  the  South  passes  only  under 
the  denomination  of  The  Grand  Lodge  of  England.  The 
latter,  on  account  of  its  situation,  being  encouraged  by 
some  of  the  principal  nobility,  soon  acquired  consequence 
and  reputation,  while  the  former,  restricted  to  fewer, 
though  not  less  respectable,  members,  seemed  gradually 
to  decline.  Till  within  these  few  years,  however,  the 
authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  York  has  never  been 
challenged;  on  the  contrary,  every  Mason  in  the  king- 
dom has  always  held  it  in  the  highest  veneration,  and 
considered  himself  bound  by  the  charges  which  originally 
sprung  from  that  assembly.  To  be  ranked  as  descendants 
of  the  original  York  Masons,  was  the  glory  and  boast  of 
the  Brethren  in  almost  every  country  where  Masonry 
has  been  regularly  established ;  and  from  the  prevalence 
and  universality  of  the  idea,  that  in  the  city  of  York 
Masonry  was  first  authorized  by  charter,  the  Masons 
of  England  have  received  tribute  from  the  first  states  in 
Europe.52 

52  It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  any  separate  interests  should 
have  destroyed  the  social  intercourse  of  Masons ;  but  it  is  no  less 
remarkable  than  true,  that  the  Brethren  in  the  North  and  those  in 
the  South  are  now,  in  a  manner,  unknown  to  each  other.  Notwith- 
standing the  pitch  of  eminence  and  splendour  at  which  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  London  has  arrived,  neither  the  Lodges  of  Scotland  nor 
Ireland  court  its  correspondence.  This  unfortunate  circumstance  has 
been  attributed  to  the  introduction  of  a  few  modern  innovations  among 
the  Lodges  in  the  South.  To  remove  this  prejudice,  the  Grand  Lodge 
resolved  to  resume  the  original  practices  of  the  Society,  and  instituted 
a  Lodge  of  Promulgation,  for  the  more  regular  diffusion  of  the  Art. 
They  also  established  a  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Scotland.  As  to  the  coolness  which  has  subsisted  between  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  York  and  the  Grand  Lodge  in  London,  another  reason  is 
assigned.  A  few  Brethren  at  York  having,  on  some  trivial  occasion 


1 58  ILLUSTRATIONS 


SECT.  VIII. 

History  of  Masonry  from  its  Revival  in  the  South  of  England, 
till  the  death  of  King  George  I. 

THE  reputation  of  the  Society  being  now  established, 
many  noblemen  and  gentlemen  of  the  first  rank  desired 
to  be  received  into  the  Lodges,  which  increased  con- 
siderably during  the  administration  of  Mr.  Payne.  The 
duties  of  Masonry  were  found  to  be  a  pleasing  relaxation 
from  the  fatigue  of  business ;  and  in  the  Lodge,  uninflu- 
enced by  politics  or  party,  a  happy  union  was  effected 
among  the  most  respectable  characters  in  the  kingdom. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  1721,  Grand  Master  Payne  and 
his 'Wardens,  with  the  former  grand  officers,  and  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  twelve  Lodges,  met  the  Grand 
Master  elect  at  the  Queen's  Anus  Tavern,  in  St.  Paul's 
Church-yard,53  where  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in 
ample  form.  Having  confirmed  the  proceedings  of  the 
last  Grand  Lodge,  several  gentlemen  were  initiated  into 
Masonry,  at  the  request  of  the  Duke  of  Montagu ;  and, 
among  the  rest,  Philip  Lord  Stanhope,  afterwards  Kail 
of  Chesterfield.  From  the  Queen's  Arms,  the  Grand 
Lodge  marched  in  procession,  in  their  clothing,  to  Sta- 
tioners'-hall,  in  Ludgate-street,  where  they  were  joyfully 
received  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  Brethren,  properly 
clothed.  The  Grand  Master,  having  made  the  first  pro- 
cession round  the  hall,  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his 
Brethren ;  and  being  returned  to  his  place,  the  Duke  of 
Montagu  was  proclaimed  his  successor  for  the  ensuing 
year.  The  general  regulations  which  had  been  compiled 

seceded  from  their  ancient  Lodge,  they  applied  to  London  for  a  war- 
rant of  constitution ;  and,  without  inquiry  into  the  merits  of  the  case, 
their  application  was  honoured.  Instead  of  being  recommended  tc 
the  Mother  Lodge  to  be  restored  to  favour,  these  Brethren  were  en- 
couraged in  their  revolt;  and  permitted,  under  the  banner  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  London,  to  open  a  new  Lodge  in  the  city  of  York 
itself.  This  unguarded  act  justly  offended  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York, 
and  occasioned  a  breach,  which  time,  and  a  proper  attention  to  the 
rules  of  the  Order,  only  can  repair. 

53  The  old  Lodge  of  St.  Paul's,  now  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  having 
been  removed  thither. 


OF    MASONRY.  169 

by  Mr.  Payne  in  172 1,54  and  compared  with  the  ancient 
records  and  immemorial  usages  of  the  Fraternity,  were 
read,  and  met  with  general  approbation ;  after  which  Dr. 
Desaguliers  delivered  an  elegant  oration  on  Masonry. 

Soon  after  his  election,  the  Grand  Master  gave  con- 
vincing proofs  of  his  zeal  and  attention,  by  commanding 
Dr.  Desaguliers  and  James  Anderson,  A.M.,  men  of 
genius  and  education,  to  revise,  arrange,  and  digest  the 
Gothic  Constitutions,  old  charges,  and  general  regula- 
tions. This  task  they  faithfully  executed;  and  at  the 
ensuing  Grand  Lodge,  held  at  the  Queen's  Arms,  St. 
Paul's  Church-yard,  on  the  27th  of  December,  1721, 
being  the  festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the  same 
was  presented  for  approbation.  A  committee  of  fourteen 
learned  Brothers  was  appointed  to  examine  the  manu- 
script, and  make  their  report.  On  this  occasion  several 
very  instructive  lectures  were  delivered,  and  much  useful 
information  given  by  a  few  old  Masons. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge  held  at  the  Fountain  Tavern  in  the 
Strand,  in  ample  form,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1722,  the 
committee  reported,  that  they  had  perused  the  manu- 
script, containing  the  history,  charges,  regulations,  &c., 
of  Masonry ;  and,  after  some  amendments,  had  approved 
thereof.  The  Grand  Lodge  ordered  the  whole  to  be 
prepared  for  the  press,  and  printed  with  all  possible 
expedition.  This  order  was  strictly  obeyed,  and  within 
less  than  two  years,  the  Book  of  Constitutions  appeared 
in  print,  under  the  following  title :  "The  Book  of  Con- 
stitutions of  the  Free-Masons;  containing  the  History, 
Charges,  Regulations,  &c.,  of  that  Most  Ancient  and 
Right  Worshipful  Fraternity.  For  the  use  of  the 
Lodges."  London,  1723. 

In  January,  1722-3,  the  Duke  of  Montagu  resigned  the 
office  of  Grand  Master  in  favour  of  the  Duke  of  Wharton, 
who  was  very  ambitious  to  attain  it.  His  resignation  pro- 
ceeded from  the  motive  of  reconciling  the  Brethren  to 
this  nobleman,  who  had  incurred  their  displeasure,  by 
having  convened,  in  opposition  to  the  resolutions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  on  the  25th  of  March,  an  irregular  assembly 
of  Masons  at  Stationers'-hall,  on  the  festival  of  St.  John 
the  Baptist,  in  order  to  get  himself  elected  Grand  Mas- 

54  See  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  printed  in  1723. 


160  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ter.  The  Duke  of  Wharton,  sensible  of  the  impropriety 
of  his  conduct,  publicly  acknowledged  his  error;  and, 
promising  in  future  a  strict  conformity  and  obedience  to 
the  resolutions  of  the  Society,  he  was,  with  the  general 
consent  of  the  Brethren,  approved  as  Grand  Master  elect 
for  the  ensuing  year.  His  grace  was  regularly  invested 
and  installed  on  the  17th  of  January,  1722-3,  by  the 
Duke  of  Montagu,  and  congratulated  by  upwards  of 
twenty-five  Lodges,  who  were  present  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  on  that  occasion.  The  diligence  and  attention  of 
the  Duke  of  Wharton,  to  the  duties  of  his  new  office,  soon 
recovered  and  established  his  reputation  in  the  Society ; 
and,  under  his  patronage,  Masonry  made  a  considerable 
progress  in  the  South  of  England.  During  his  presi- 
dency, the  office  of  Grand  Secretary  was  first  established, 
and  William  Covvper,  Esq.,  appointed,  who  executed  the 
duties  of  that  department  several  years. 

The  Duke  of  Buccleugh  succeeded  the  Duke  of 
Wharton  in  1723.  Being  absent  on  the  annual  festival, 
he  was  installed  by  proxy  at  Merchant-tailors'-hall,  in 
presence  of  four  hundred  Masons.  This  nobleman  was 
no  less  attached  to  Masonry  than  his  predecessor. 

In  the  following  year  his  grace  was  succeeded  by  the 
Duke  of  Richmond,  under  whose  administration  the 
Committee  of  Charity55  was  instituted.56  Lord  Paisley, 

66  Now  called  the  Lodge  of  Benevolence. — EDITOR. 

56  The  Duke  of  Buccleugh  first  proposed  the  scheme  of  raising  a 
general  fund  for  distressed  Masons.  Lord  Paisley,  Dr.  Desaguliers, 
Colonel  Houghton,  and  a  few  other  brethren,  supported  the  Duke's 
proposition;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  appointed  a  committee  to  consider 
of  the  most  effectual  means  of  carrying  the  scheme  into  execution. 
The  report  of  the  committee  was  transmitted  to  the  Lodges,  and 
afterwards  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  disposal  of  the  charity 
was  first  vested  in  seven  Brethren ;  but  this  number  being  found  too 
email,  nine  more  were  added.  It  was  afterwards  resolved,  that  twelve 
Masters  of  contributing  Lodges,  in  rotation,  with  the  grand  officers, 
should  form  the  Committee  ;  and,  by  another  regulation  since  made,  it 
has  been  determined,  that  all  Past  and  Present  Grand  Officers,  with 
the  Masters  of  all  regular  Lodges  which  shall  have  contributed  within 
twelve  months  to  the  charity,  shall  be  members  of  the  Committee. 

The  Committee  meets  four  times  in  the  year,  by  virtue  of  a  sum- 
mons from  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy.  The  petitions  of  the 
Brethren  who  apply  for  charity  are  considered  at  these  meetings;  and 
it'  the  petitioner  be  found  a  deserving  object,  he  is  immediately  relieved 
with  h've  pounds:  if  the  circumstances  of  his  case  are  of  a  peculiar 
nature,  his  petition  is  referred  to  the  next  communication,  where  he  is 


OF    MASONRY.  161 

afterwards  Earl  of  Abercorn,  having  been  active  in  pro- 
moting this  new  establishment,  was  elected  Grand  Master 
in  the  end  of  the  year  1725.  Being  in  the  country  at 
the  time,  his  lordship  was  installed  by  proxy.  During 
his  absence,  Dr.  Desaguliers,  who  had  been  appointed 
his  Deputy,  was  very  attentive  to  the  duties  of  his  office, 
by  visiting  the  Lodges,  and  diligently  promoting  Masonry. 
On  his  lordship's  return  to  town,  the  Earl  of  Inchiquin 
was  proposed  to  succeed  him,  and  was  elected  in  Febru- 
ary, 1726.  The  Society  now  nourished  in  town  and 
country ;  and  under  the  patronage  of  this  nobleman  the 
Art  was  propagated  with  considerable  success.  This 
period  was  rendered  remarkable,  by  the  Brethren  of 
Wales  first  uniting  under  the  banner  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  London.  In  Wales  are  found  some  venerable  remains 
of  ancient  Masonry,  and  many  stately  ruins  of  castles, 
executed  in  the  Gothic  style,  which  evidently  demon- 
strate, that  in  former  times,  the  Fraternity  must  have  met 
with  great  encouragement  in  that  part  of  the  island. 
Soon  after  this  union,  the  office  of  Provincial  Grand 
Master57  was  instituted,  and  the  first  deputation  granted 

relieved  with  any  sum  the  Committee  may  have  specified,  not  exceed- 
ing twenty  guineas  at  one  time.  By  these  means  the  distressed  have 
always  found  ready  relief  from  this  general  charity,  which  is  solely 
supported  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  different  Lodges  out  of 
their  private  funds,  without  being  burdensome  on  any  member  of  the 
Society. 

Thus  the  Committee  of  Charity  has  been  established  among  the 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in  London ;  and  though  the  sums  annually 
expended  to  relieve  distressed  Brethren  have,  for  several  years  past, 
amounted  to  many  thousand  pounds,  there  still  remains  a  considera- 
ble sum  in  reserve,  which  is  continually  accumulating  by  fresh  contri- 
butions. 

All  complaints  and  informations  are  considered  at  the  Committee 
of  Charity ;  from  which  a  report  is  made  to  the  next  Grand  Lodge, 
where  it  is  generally  approved. 

57  A  Provincial  Grand  Master  is  the  immediate  representative  of  the 
Grand  Master  in  the  District  over  which  he  is  limited  to  preside;  and, 
being  invested  with  the  power  and  honour  of  a  Deputy  Grand  Master 
in  his  province,  may  constitute  Lodges  therein,  if  the  consent  of  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  three  Lodges  already  constituted  within  his 
district  has  been  obtained,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  in  London  has  not 
disapproved  thereof.  He  wears  the  clothing  of  a  Grand  Officer,  and 
ranks,  in  all  public  assemblies,  immediately  after  Past  Deputy  Grand 
Masters.  He  must,  in  person,  or  by  deputy,  attend  the  quarterly 
meeting  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Lodges  in  his  district,  and 
transmit  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  once  in  every  year,  the  proceedings  of 


162  ILLUSTRATIONS 

by  Earl  luchiquin,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1727,  to  Hugh 
Warburton,  Esq.,  for  North  Wales ;  and  on  the  24th  of 
June  following,  to  Sir  Edward  Mansell,  Bart.,  for  South 
Wales.  The  Lodges  in  the  country  now  began  to  in- 
crease, and  deputations  were  granted  to  several  gentle- 
men, to  hold  the  office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master  in 
different  parts  of  England,  as  well  as  in  some  places 
abroad  where  Lodges  had  been  constituted  by  English 
Masons;  and,  during  the  Earl  of  Inchiquin's  mastership, 
a  warrant  was  issued  for  opening  a  new  Lodge  at  Gibral- 
tar. 

Among  the  noble  edifices  which  were  finished  during 
the  presidency  of  this  nobleman,  was  that  excellent 
structure,  the  church  of  St.  Martin  in  the  Fields;  the 
foundation-stone  of  which,  it  being  a  royal  parish  church, 
was  laid,  in  the  king's  name,  on  the  29th  of  March,  1721, 
by  Brother  Gibb,  the  architect,  in  presence  of  the  Lord 
Almoner,  the  surveyor-general,  and  a  large  company  of 
the  Brethren. 


SECT.    IX. 

History  of  Masonry  in  England  during  the  Reign  of  King 
Gewge  II. 

THE  first  Grand  Lodge  after  the  accession  of  George  II. 
to  the  throne,  was  held  at  the  Devil  Tavern,  Temple-bar, 
on  the  24th  of  June,  1727 ;  at  which  were  present,  the 
Earl  of  Inchiquin,  Grand  Master,  his  officers,  and  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  forty  Lodges.  At  this  meeting, 
it  was  resolved  to  extend  the  privilege  of  voting  in  Grand 

those  meetings,  with  a  regular  state  of  the  Lodges  under  his  jurisdic- 
tion. The  provincial  Regalia  is  as  follows :  P.  G.  M..  the  compasses 
and  square,  with  a  five-pointed  star  in  the  centre.  D.  P.  G.  M.,  the 
square.  All  other  P.  G.  Officers,  Jewels  of  the  same  description  as 
those  worn  by  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  Jewels  of  the 
P.  G.  M.  and  other  P.  G.  Officers,  are  to  be  placed  within  a  circle,  on 
which  the  name  of  the  province  is  to  be  engraven.  All  Past  Officers, 
the  jewel  of  their  respective  offices  on  a  blue  enamelled  oval  medal. 
All  these  jewels  to  be  gold  or  gilt;  and  the  collars  to  be  garter  blue, 
four  inches  broad.  The  aprons,  a  white  lambskin.  14  to  16  inches 
wide,  12  to  14  deep,  lined  with  garter  blue;  edging  2  inches  wide, 
ornamented  with  gold,  and  blue  strings,  and  may  have  the  emblems  of 
their  offices  in  gold  or  blue  in  the  centre.  (Const,  of  Regalia.) — 
EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  163 

Lodge  to  past  Grand  Wardens;58  that  privilege  having 
been  heretofore  restricted  to  Past  Grand  Masters,  by  a 
resolution  of  21st  November,  1724;  and  to  Past  Depu- 
ties, by  another  resolution  of  28th  February,  1726. 

The  Grand  Master,  having  been  obliged  to  take  a 
journey  into  Ireland  before  the  expiration  of  his  office, 
his  lordship  transmitted  a  letter  to  William  Cowper, 
Esq.,  his  Deputy,  requesting  him  to  convene  a  Grand 
Lodge  for  the  purpose  of  nominating  Lord  Colerane 
Grand  Master  for  the  ensuing  year.  A  Grand  Lodge  was 
accordingly  convened  on  the  19th  of  December,  1727 ; 
when  his  lordship  was  regularly  proposed  Grand  Master 
elect,  and,  being  unanimously  approved,  on  the  27th  of 
the  same  month,  was  duly  invested  with  the  ensigns  of 
his  high  office  at  a  grand  feast  at  Mercers'-hall,  in  the 
presence  of  a  numerous  company  of  the  Brethren.  His 
lordship  attended  two  Communications  during  his  Master- 
ship, and  seemed  to  pay  considerable  attention  to  the 
duties  of  his  office.  He  constituted  several  new  Lodges, 
and  granted  a  deputation  to  hold  a  Lodge  in  St.  Bernard- 
street,  Madrid.  At  the  last  Grand  Lodge  under  his  lord- 
ship's auspices,  Dr.  Desaguliers  moved,  that  the  ancient 
office  of  Stewards  might  be  revived,  to  assist  the  Grand 
Wardens  in  preparing  the  feast ;  when  it  was  agreed  that 
their  appointment  should  be  annual,  and  the  number 
restricted  to  twelve. 

Lord  Kingston  succeeded  Lord  Colerane,  and  was 
invested  with  the  ensigns  of  his  high  office  on  the  27th 
of  December,  1728,  at  a  grand  feast  held  at  Mercers'-hall. 
His  lordship's  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  Fraternity  were 
very  conspicuous,  not  only  by  his  regular  attendance  on 
the  Communications,  but  by  a  generous  present  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  of  a  curious  pedestal,  &  rich  cushion,  with 
gold  knobs  and  fringes,  a  velvet  bag,  and  a  new  jewel 
set  in  gold  for  the  use  of  the  Secretary.  During  his 
lordship's  administration,  the  Society  flourished  at  home 

58  This  privilege  was  certainly  a  peculiar  favour ;  for  the  Grand 
Lodge,  by  the  old  Constitutions,  could  consist  only  of  the  Masters 
and  Wardens  of  regular  Lodges,  with  the  Grand  Master  and  his 
Wardens  at  their  head ;  and  it  had  been  customary  even  for  these 
Officers,  at  their  annual  election,  and  on  other  particular  occasions,  tc 
withdraw,  and  leave  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Lodges  to  con- 
sult together,  that  no  undue  influence  might  warp  their  opinion. 


164  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  abroad.  Many  Lodges  were  constituted;  and,  among 
the  rest,  a  deputation  was  granted  to  George  Pomfret, 
Esq.,  authorizing  him  to  open  a  new  Lodge  at  Bengal. 
This  gentleman  first  introduced  Masonry  into  the  English 
settlements  in  India,  where  it  has  since  made  such  rapid 
progress,  that,  within  these  few  years,  upwards  of  fifty 
Lodges  have  been  constituted  there,  eleven  of  which  are 
now  held  in  Bengal.  The  annual  remittances  to  the 
charity  and  public  funds  of  the  Society,  from  this  and 
the  other  factories  of  the  East  India  Company,  amount 
to  a  considerable  sum. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge  held  at  the  Devil  Tavern,  on  the 
27th  of  December,  L729,  Nathaniel  Blackerby,  Esq.,  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  being  in  the  chair,  in  the  absence 
of  Lord  Kingston,  produced  a  letter  from  his  lordship, 
authorizing  him  to  propose  the  Duke  of  Norfolk  to  be 
Grand  Master  for  the  ensuing  year.  This  nomination 
meeting  with  general  consent,  the  usual  compliments 
were  paid  to  his  Grace,  who,  being  present,  was  saluted 
Grand  Master  elect;  and,  at  an  assembly  and  feast  at 
Merehant-tailors'-hall,  on  the  29th  of  January  following, 
he  was  duly  invested  and  installed,  according  to  ancient 
form,  in  the  presence  of  a  numerous  and  brilliant 
company  of  Masons.  His  absence  in  Italy,  soon  after 
his  election,  prevented  him  from  attending  more  than 
one  Communication  during  his  Mastership;  but  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Society  was  diligently  executed  by  Mr. 
Blackerby,  his  Deputy,  on  whom  the  whole  manage- 
ment devolved.  Among  other  signal  proofs  of  his 
Grace's  attachment  to  the  Society,  he  transmitted  from 
Venice  to  England  the  following  noble  presents  for  the 
use  of  the  Grand  Lodge:  1.  Twenty  pounds  to  the 
charity.  2.  A  large  folio  book  of  the  finest  writing 
paper,  for  the  records  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  richly  bound 
in  Turkey,  and  gilt,  with  a  curious  frontispiece  in  vellum, 
containing  the  arms  of  Norfolk,  amply  displayed,  and  a 
Latin  inscription  of  the  family  titles,  with  the  arms  of 
Masonry  elegantly  emblazoned.  3.  A  sword  of  state 
for  the  Grand  Master;  being  the  old  trusty  sword  of 
Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden,  which  was  next 
worn  by  his  brave  successor  in  war,  Bernard,  Duke  of 
Saxe- Weimar,  with  both  their  names  on  the  blade,  and 
further  enriched  with  the  arms  of  Norfolk,  in  silver,  on 


OF    MASONRY.  166 

the  scabbard.     For  these  presents  his  Grace  was  voted 

the  public  thanks  of  the  Society. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  Masonry  should  flourish  under 
so  respectable  a  banner.  His  Grace  appoined  a  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master  over  the  Lodges  in  the  Circle  of 
Lower  Saxony,  and  established  by  deputation  a  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Lodge  at  New  Jersey,  in  America.  A 
provincial  patent  was  also  made  out,  under  his  auspices, 
for  Bengal.  From  this  period  we  may  date  the  com- 
mencement of  the  consequence  and  reputation  of  the 
Society  in  Europe;  as  daily  applications  were  made  for 
constituting  new  Lodges,  and  the  most  respectable 
characters  of  the  age  desired  their  names  to  be  enrolled 
in  our  records. 

The  Duke  of  Norfolk  was  succeeded  by  Lord  Lovel, 
afterwards  Earl  of  Leicester,  who  was  installed  at 
Mercers' -hall,  on  the  29th  of  March,  1731.  His  lordship, 
being  at  the  time  much  indisposed  with  an  ague,  was 
obliged  to  withdraw  soon  after  his  installation.  Lord 
Colerane,  however,  acted  as  proxy  during  the  feast.  On 
the  14th  of  May,  the  first  Grand  Lodge,  after  Lord  Level's 
election,  was  held  at  the  Rose  Tavern  in  Mary-le-bone ; 
when  it  was  voted,  that  in  future  all  Past  Grand  Masters 
and  their  Deputies  shall  be  admitted  Members  of  the 
Quarterly  Committee  of  Charity,  and  that  every  Com- 
mittee shall  have  power  to  '  vote  five  pounds  for  the 
relief  of  any  distressed  Mason ;  but  no  larger  sum,  without 
the  consent  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Communication  being 
first  had  and  obtained.  This  resolution  is  still  in  force.59 
, During  the  presidency  of  Lord  Lovel,  the  nobility 
made  a  point  of  honouring  the  Grand  Lodge  with  their 
presence.  The  Dukes  of  Norfolk  and  Richmond,  the 
Earl  of  Inchiquin,  and  Lords  Colerane  and  Montagu, 
with  several  other  persons  of  distinction,  generally 
attended ;  and,  though  the  subscriptions  from  their  Lodges 
were  inconsiderable,  the  Society  was  enabled  to  relieve 
many  worthy  objects  with  small  sums.  As  an  encourage- 
ment to  gentlemen  to  accept  the  office  of  Steward,  it 
was  ordered,  that  in  future  each  Steward  should  have 
the  privilege  of  nominating  his  successor  at  every  annual 
grand  feast. 

w  See  the  note  m  pp.  160,  161. 


166  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  most  remarkable  event  of  Lord  Level's  adminis- 
tration was,  the  initiation  of  Francis,  Duke  of  Lorraine, 
Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany,  afterwards  Emperor  of  Germany. 
By  virtue  of  a  deputation  from  his  Lordship,  a  Lodge 
was  held  at  the  Hague,  where  his  Highness  was  received 
into  the  First  Two  Degrees  of  the  Order.  At  this  Lodge, 
Philip  Stanhope,  Earl  of  Chesterfield,  then  ambassador 

there,  presided ; Strickland,  Esq.,  acted  as  Deputy, 

and  Mr.  Benjamin  Hadley,  with  a  Dutch  Brother,  as 
Wardens.  His  Highness  coming  to  England  the  same 
year,  was  advanced  to  the  third  Degree,  at  an  occasional 
Lodge  convened  for  the  purpose,  at  Houghton-hall,  in 
Norfolk,  the  seat  of  Sir  Robert  Walpole;  as  was  al*<> 
Thomas  Pelham,  Duke  of  Newcastle. 

The  Society  being  now  in  a  very  flourishing  state, 
deputations  were  granted  from  England  for  establishing 
Lodges  in  Russia  and  Spain. 

Lord  Viscount  Montagu  was  installed  Grand  Master 
at  an  assembly  and  feast  at  Merchant-tailors'-hall,  on 
the  19th  of  April,  1732.  Among  the  distinguished  per- 
sonages present  on  that  occasion  were,  the  Dukes  of 
Montagu  and  Richmond;  the  Earl  of  Strathmore;  and 
Lords  Colerane,  Teynham,  and  Carpenter;  Sir  Francis 
Drake  and  Sir  William  Keith,  Barts.,  and  above  four 
hundred  other  Brethren.  At  this  meeting  it  was  first 
proposed  to  have  a  country  feast,  and  agreed  that  the 
Brethren  should  dine  together  at  Hampstead  on  the  24th 
of  June,  for  which  purpose  cards  of  invitation  were  sent 
to  several  of  the  nobility.  On  the  day  appointed,  the 
Grand  Master  and  his  Officers,  the  Dukes  of  Norfolk  and 
Richmond,  the  Earl  of  Strathmore,  Lords  Carpenter  and 
Teynham,  and  above  a  hundred  other  Brethren,  met  at 
the  Spikes,  at  Hampstead,  where  an  elegant  dinner  was 
provided.  Soon  after  dinner,  the  Grand  Master  resigned 
the  chair  to  Lord  Teynham,  and  from  that  time  till  the 
expiration  of  his  office  never  attended  another  meeting 
of  the  Society.  His  lordship  granted  a  deputation  for 
constituting  a  Lodge  at  Valenciennes,  in  French  Flanders, 
and  another  for  opening  a  new  Lodge  at  the  Hotel  de 
Bussy,  in  Paris.  Several  other  Lodges  were  also  con- 
stituted under  his  lordship's  auspices;60  but  the  Society 

60  "Freemasons'  Lodges  in  America  date  their  origin  from  this 


OF    MASONRY.  167 

was  particularly  indebted  to  Thomas  Batson,  Esq.,  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  who  was  very  attentive  to  the 
duties  of  his  office,  and  carefully  superintended  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Craft. 

The  Earl  of  Strathmore  succeeded  Lord  Montagu  in 
the  office  of  Grand  Master,  and,  being  in  Scotland  at  the 
time,  was  installed  by  proxy  at  an  assembly  at  Mercers'- 
hall  on  the  7th  of  June,  1733.  On  the  13th  of  December 
a  Grand  Lodge  was  held  at  the  Devil  Tavern,  at  which 
his  Lordship  and  his  officers,  the  Earl  of  Crawford,  Sir 
Robert  Mansel,  a  number  of  Past  Grand  Officers,  and  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  fifty-three  Lodges,  were  present. 
Several  regulations  were  confirmed  at  this  meeting 
respecting  the  Committee  of  Chanty;  and  it  was  deter- 
mined that  all  complaints  in  future,  to  be  brought  before 
the  Grand  Lodge,  should  be  previously  examined  by  the 
Committee,  and  thence  referred  to  the  next  Communi- 
cation. 

The  history  of  the  Society  at  this  period  affords  few 
remarkable  instances  to  record.  Some  considerable  do- 
nations were  collected,  and  distributed  among  distressed 
Masons,  to  encourage  the  settlement  of  a  new  colony, 
which  had  been  just  established  at  Georgia,  in  America. 
Lord  Strathmore  showed  every  attention  to  the  duties 
of  his  office,  and  regularly  attended  the  meetings  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  :  under  his  auspices  the  Society  flourished, 
at  home  and  abroad,  and  many  handsome  presents  were 
received  from  the  East  Indies.  Eleven  German  Masons 
applied  for  authority  to  open  a  new  Lodge  at  Hamburgh, 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 
for  which  purpose  his  lordship  was  pleased  to  grant  a 

period.  Upon  the  application  of  a  number  of  Brethren,  residing  in 
Boston,  a  warrant  was  granted  by  Lord  Viscount  Montagu,  Grand 
Master  of  Masons  in  England,  dated  the  30th  of  April,  1733,  appoint- 
ing the  R.  W.  Henry  Price  Grand  Master  in  North  America,  with  full 
power  and  authority  to  appoint  his  Deputy,  and  other  Masonic  officers 
necessary  for  forming  a  Grand  Lodge ;  and  also  to  constitute  lodges 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,- as  often  as  occasion  should  require. 
In  consequence  of  this  commission,  the  Grand  Master  opened  a  Grand 
Lodge  at  Boston,  on  the  30th  of  July.  1733,  in  due  form,  and  appointed 
Andrew  Belcher,  D.  G.  M..  and  Thomas  Kenelly  and  John  Quann, 
Grand  Wardens.  The  Grand  Lodge  being  thus  organized  under  the 
designation  of  St.  John's  Grand  Lodge,  proceeded  to  grant  warrants  for 
instituting  regular  lodges  in  various  parts  of  America,  &c."  (Webb's 
Monitor,  p.  288.)— EDITOR. 


168  ILLUSTRATIONS 

deputation ;  and  soon  after,  several  other  Lodges  were 
constituted  in  Holland  under  the  English  banner. 

The  Earl  of  Strathmore  was  succeeded  by  the  Earl  of 
Crawford,  who  was  installed  at  Mercers'-hall  on  the  30th 
of  March,  1734.  Public  affairs  attracting  his  lordship's 
attention,  the  Communications  during  his  administration 
were  neglected.  After  eleven  months'  vacation,  however, 
a  Grand  Lodge  was  convened,  at  which  his  lordship 
attended,  and  apologised  for  his  long  absence.  To  atone 
for  past  omission,  he  commanded  two  Communications  to 
be  held  in  little  more  than  six  weeks.  The  Dukes  of 
Richmond  and  Buccleugh,  the  Earl  of  Balcarras,  Lord 
Wey month,  and  other  eminent  persons,  honoured  the 
Grand  Lodge  with  their  presence  during  the  Earl  of 
Crawford's  presidency. 

The  most  remarkable  proceedings  of  the  Society,  at 
this  period,  related  to  a  new  edition  of  the  Book  of  Con- 
stitutions, which  Brother  James  Anderson  was  ordered 
to  prepare  for  the  press :  and  which  made  its  appearance 
in  January,  1738,  considerably  enlarged  and  improved. 

Among  the  new  regulations  which  took  place  under 
the  administration  of  Lord  Crawford,  was  the  following: 
That  if  any  Lodge  within  the  bills  of  mortality  shall 
cease  to  meet  during  twelve  calendar  months,  the  said 
Lodge  shall  be  erased  from  the  list ;  and,  if  reinstated, 
shall  lose  its'  former  rank.  Some  additional  privileges 
were  granted  to  the  Stewards,  in  consequence  of  an 
application  for  that  purpose ;  and,  to  encourage  gentle- 
men to  serve  the  office,  it  was  agreed  that,  in  future,  all 
Grand  Officers,  the  Grand  Master  excepted,  shall  be 
elected  out  of  that  body.  A  few  resolutions  also  passed, 
respecting  illegal  conventions  of  Masons,  at  which  it  was 
reported  many  persons  had  been  initiated  into  Masonry 
on  small  and  unworthy  considerations. 

The  Earl  of  Crawford  seems  to  have  made  another 
encroachment  on  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
the  city  of  York,  by  constituting  two  Lodges  within  their 
district;  and  by  granting,  without  their  consent,  three 
deputations,  one  for  Lancashire,  a  second  for  Durham, 
and  a  third  for  Northumberland.  This  circumstance  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  York  highly  resented,  and  ever  after 
seems  to  have  viewed  the  proceedings  of  the  Brethren  in 
the  South  with  a  jealous  eye,  as  all  friendly  intercourse 


OF    MASONRY.  169 

ceased,  and  the  'York  Masons,  from  that  moment,  con- 
sidered their  interest  distinct  from  the  Masons  under  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  London.61 

Lord  Weymouth  succeeded  the  Earl  of  Crawford  in 
the  office  of  Grand  Master,  and  was  installed  at  Mercers'- 
liall  on  the  17th  of  April,  1735,  in  presence  of  the  Dukes 
of  Richmond  and  Athol;  the  Earls  of  Crawford,  Win- 
chelsea,  Balcarras,  Wemys,  and  Loudon ;  the  Marquis  of 
Beaumont;  Lords  Cathcart  and  Vere  Bertie;  Sir  Cecil 
Wray  and  Sir  Edward  Hansel,  Barts.,  and  a  splendid 
company  of  other  Brethren.  Several  Lodges  were  con- 
stituted during  Lord  Weymouth's  presidency  :  and,  among 
the  rest,  the  Stewards'  Lodge.  His  lordship  granted  a 
deputation  to  hold  a  Lodge  at  the  seat  of  the  Duke  of 
Richmond,  at  Aubigny,  in  France;  and,  under  his 
patronage,  Masonry  extended  considerably  in  foreign 
countries.  He  also  issued  warrants  to  open  a  new  Lodge 
at  Lisbon,  and  another  at  Savannah,  in  Georgia ;  and,  by 
his  special  appointment,  provincial  patents  were  made 
out  for  South  America  and  Gambay  in  West  Africa. 

Lord  Weymouth  never  honoured  any  of  the  Commu- 
nications with  his  presence  during  his  presidency ;  but 
his  omission  was  the  less  noticed,  on  account  of  the  vigi- 
lance and  attention  of  his  Deputy,  John  Ward,  Esq., 
afterwards  Lord  Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward,  who  applied 
with  the  utmost  diligence  to  promote  the  interest  and 
prosperity  of  the  Society. 

One  circumstance  occurred  while  Lord  Weymouth 
was  Grand  Master,  of  which  it  may  be  necessary  to  take 
notice.  The  twelve  Stewards,  with  Sir  Robert  Lawley, 
Master  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge,  at  their  head,  appeared, 
for  the  first  time,  in  their  new  badges  at  a  Grand  Lodge 
held  at  the  Devil  Tavern  on  the  llth  of  December,  1735. 

61  In  confirmation  of  the  above  fact,  I  shall  here  insert  a  paragraph, 
copied  from  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  published  in  1738.  After 
inserting  a  list  of  Provincial  Grand  Masters  appointed  for  different 
places  abroad,  it  is  thus  expressed :  "  All  these  foreign  Lodges  are 
under  the  patronage  of  our  Grand  Master  of  England ;  but  the  old 
Lodge  at  York  city,  and  the  Lodges  of  Scotland,  'Ireland,  France,  and 
Italy,  affecting  independency,  are  under  their  own  Grand  .Masters ; 
though  they  have  the  same  constitutions,  charges,  regulations,  &c.,  for 
substance,  with  their  Brethren  of  England,  and  are  equally  zealous  for 
the  Augustan  style,  and  the  secrets  of  the  ancient  and  honourable 
Fraternity."  Book  of  Constitutions,  1738.  p.  196. 
9 


170  ILLUSTRATIONS 

On  this  occasion  they  were  not  permitted  to  vote  as 
individuals :  but,  it  being  afterwards  proposed  that  they 
should  enjoy  this  privilege,  and  that  the  Stewards'  L<- 
should  in  future  be  represented  in  Grand  Lodge  by  tw«-l\  <• 
members,  many  Lodges  objected  to  the  measure  as  an 
encroachment  on  the  privilege  of  every  other  Lodge 
which  had  been  previously  constituted.  When  the  mo- 
tion was  put  for  confirmation,  such  a  disturbance  ensued 
that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  obliged  to  be  closed  before  the 
sentiments  of  the  Brethren  could  be  collected  on  the 
subject.  Of  late  years  the  punctilio  has  been  waved, 
and  the  twelve  Stewards  are  now  permitted  to  vote  in 
every  Communication  as  individuals.62 

The  Earl  of  Loudon  succeeded  Lord  Weymouth,  and 
was  installed  Grand  Master  at  Fislunongers'-hall  on  the 
15th  of  April,  1736.  The  Duke  of  .Richmond;  the  Earls 
of  Albemarle  and  Crawford ;  Lords  Marcourt,  Erskine, 
and  Southwell;  Mr.  Antis,  garter  king-at-urms,  Mr.  Brady, 
lion  king-at-arms,  and  a  numerous  company  of  other 
Brethren,  were  present  on  this  occasion.  His  lordship 
constituted  several  Lodges,  and  granted  three  provincial 
deputations  during  its  presidency,  viz.,  one  for  New  Eng- 
land, another  for  South  Carolina,  and  a  third  for  Cape 
Coast  Castle,  in  Africa. 

The  Earl  of  Darnley  was  elected  Grand  Master,  and 
duly  installed  at  Fishmongers'-hall  on  the  28th  of  April, 
1757,  in  presence  of  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the  Earls 

68  It  was  not  till  the  year  1770  that  this  privilege  was  strictly  war- 
ranted ;  when,  at  a  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  7th  of  February,  at  the  Crown 
and  Anchor  Tavern,  in  the  Strand,  the  following  resolution  passed  : 
"  As  the  right  of  the  Members  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge  in  general  t» 
attend  the  Committee  of  Ch'tmty  appears  doubtful,  no  mention  of  such 
right  being  made  in  the  laws  of  the  Society,  the  Grand  Lodge  are  of 
opinion,  That  they  have  no  general  right  to  attend ;  but  it  is  hereby 
resolved.  That  the  Stewards'  Lodge  be  allowed  the  privilege  of  sending 
a  number  of  Brethren,  equal  to  any  other  four  Lodges,  to  every  future 
Committee  of  Charity  ;  and  that,  as  the  Master  of  each  private  Lodge 
only  has  the  right  to  attend,  to  make  a  proper  distinction  between 
the  Stewards'  Lodge  and  the  other  Lodges,  that  the  Master  and  three- 
other  Members  of  that  Lodge  be  permitted  to  attend  at  every  suc- 
ceeding Committee  on  behalf  of  the  said  Lodge."  This  resolution, 
however,  was  declared  not  to  be  intended  to  deprive  any  Lodge,  which 
had  previously  been  constituted,  of  its  regular  rank  and  precedence. 
Notwithstanding  this  express  provision,  a  privilege  has  been  lately 
granted  to  the  Stewards'  Lodge,  of  taking  precedence  of  all  the  other 
Lodges,  the  two  oldest  not  exceptcd. 


OF    MASONRY.  171 

of  Crawford  and  Wemys,  Lord  Gray,  and  many  other 
respectable  Brethren.  The  most  remarkable  event  of 
his  lordship's  administration  was,  the  initiation  of  the 
late  Frederic  Prince  of  Wales,  his  late  Majesty's  father, 
at  an  occasional  Lodge,  convened  for  the  purpose,  at  the 
palace  of  Kew,  over  which  Dr.  Desaguliers  presided  as 
Master.  Lord  Baltimore,  Col.  Lumley,  the  Hon.  Major 
Madden,  and  several  other  Brethren,  were  present.  His 
Royal  Highness  was  advanced  to  the  Second  Degree  at 
the  same  Lodge ;  and,  at  another  Lodge,  convened  at  the 
same  place  soon  after,  was  raised  to  the  Degree  of  a 
Master  Mason. 

There  cannot  be  a  better  proof  of  the  flourishing  state 
of  the  Society  at  this  time,  than  by  adverting  to  the 
respectable  appearance  of  the  Brethren  in  Grand  Lodge, 
at  which  the  Grand  Master  never  failed  to  attend. 
Upwards  of  sixty  Lodges  were  represented  at  every 
Communication  during  Lord  Darnley's  administration ; 
and  more  provincial  patents  were  issued  by  Him  than  by 
any  of  his  predecessors.  Deputations  were  granted  for 
Montserrat,  Geneva,  the  Circle  of  Upper  Saxony,  the 
Coast  of  Africa,  New  York,  and  the  Islands  of  America.63 

The  Marquis  of  Carnarvon,  afterwards  Duke  of  Chandos, 
succeeded  Lord  Darnley  in  the  office  of  Grand  Master, 
and  was  duly  invested  and  installed  at  an  assembly  and 
feast  held  at  Fishmongers'-hall  on  the  27th  of  April, 
1738.64  At  this  assembly,  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  the 

6:5  At  this  time  the  authority  granted  by  patent  to  a  Provincial  Grand 
Master  was  limited  to  one  year  from  his  first  public  appearance  in 
that  character  within  his  province ;  and  if,  at  the  expiration  of  that 
period,  a  new  election  by  the  Lodges  under  his  jurisdiction  did  not 
take  place,  subject  to  the  approbation  of  the  Grand  Master,  the  patent, 
was  no  longer  valid.  Hence  we  find,  within  the  course  of  a  few  years, 
different  appointments  to  the  same  station  ;  but  the  office  is  now  per- 
manent, and  the  sole  appointment  of  the  Grand  Master. 

64  uln  the  year  1738,  a  formidable  bull  was  thundered  from  the 
Conclave,  not  only  against  Freemasons  themselves,  but  against  all 
those  who  promoted  or  favoured  their  cause — who  gave  them  the 
smallest  countenance  or  advice — or  who  were,  in  any  respect,  connected 
with  a  set  of  men,  who,  in  the  opinion  of  his  Holiness,  were  enemies 
to  the  tranquillity  of  the  state,  and  hostile  to  the  spiritual  interest, 
of  souls.  Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  this  bull,  which  threatens 
excommunication  to  every  offender,  no  particular  charge,  either  of  a 
moral  or  political  nature,  is  brought  against  a  single  individual  of  the 
order.  It  was  merely  stated,  that  the  Fraternity  had  spread  far  ami 
wide,  .and  were  daily  increasing;  that  they  admitted  men  of  every 


172  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Earls  of  Inchiquin,  Loudon  and  Kintore;  Lords  Cole- 
rane,  and  Gray,  and  a  numerous  company  of  other 
Brethren,  were  present.  The  Marquis  showed  "every 
attention  to  the  Society  during  his  presidency,  and,  in 
testimony  of  his  esteem,  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
a  gold  jewel  for  the  use  of  the  Secretary ;  the  device,  two 
cross  pens  in  a  knot;  the  knot  and  points  of  the  pens 
being  curiously  enamelled.  Two  deputations  for  the 
office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master  were  granted  by  his 
lordship,  one  for  the  Caribbee  Islands,  and  the  other  for 
the  West  Riding  of  Yorkshire.  This  latter  appointment 
was  considered  as  a  third  encroachment  on  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  York,  and  so  widened  the  origin. -il 
breach  between  the  Brethren  in  the  North  and  the  South 
of  England,  that  from  henceforward  all  correspondence 
between  the  Grand  Lodges  totally  ceased. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  1738,  Frederic  the  Great,  after- 
wards King  of  Prussia,  was  initiated  in'to  Masonry  in  a 
Lodge  at  Brunswick,  under  the  Scots  constitution,  being 
at  that  time  Prince  Royal.  So  highly  did  he  approve  of 
the  institution,  that,  on  his  accession  to  the  throne,  he 
commanded  a  Grand  Lodge  to  be  formed  at  Berlin,65  and 
for  that  purpose  obtained  a  patent  from  Edinburgh.  In 

religion  into  their  society,  and  that  they  bound  their  members  by  an 
oath,  to  preserve,  with  inviolable  secresy,  the  mysteries  of  their  order. 
These  circumstances,  indeed,  were  sufficient  grounds  for  exciting  the 
church  of  Rome  to  oppose  a  system  so  contrary  to  their  superstitious 
and  contracted  views  in  religion  and  government.  This  bull  was  foU 
lowed  by  an  edict,  dated  14th  January,  1739.  containing  sentiments 
equally  bigoted,  and  enactments  equally  severe.  The  servitude  of  the 
galleys,  the  tortures  of  the  rack,  and  a  fine  of  1,000  crowns  in  gold, 
were  threatened  to  persons  of  every  description,  who  were  daring 
enough  to  breathe  the  infectious  air  of  a  masonic  assembly."  (Lawrie. 
p.  122.)— EDITOR. 

65  His  Majesty's  attachment  to  the  Society  soon  induced  him  to 
establish  several  new  regulations  for  the  advantage  of  the  Fraternity ; 
and,  among  others,  he  ordained,  1.  That  no  person  should  be  made  a 
Mason,  unless  his  character  was  unimpeachable,  and  his  manner  of 
living  and  profession  respectable.  2.  That  every  member  should 
pay  25  rix-dollars  (or  41.  3s.)  for  the  First  Degree  ;  50  rix-dollars  (or 
81.  6s.)  on  his  being  passed  into  the  Second  Degree;  and  100  rix- 
dollars  on  his  being  raised  a  Master  Mason.  3.  That  he  should 
remain  at  least  three  months  in  each  Degree ;  and  that  every  sum 
received  should  be  divided  by  the  Grand  Treasurer  into  three  parts; 
one  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  Lodge ;  another  to  be  applied  to 
the  relief  of  distressed  Brethren ;  and  the  third  to  be  allotted  to  the 
poor  in  general 


OF    MASONRY.  173 

this  Lodge  many  of  the  German  princes  were  initiated, 
who  afterwards  filled  the  office  of  G-rand  Master,  with 
much  honour  to  themselves,  and  advantage  to  the  Craft. 
Thus  was  Masonry  regularly  established  in  Prussia,  and 
under  that  sanction  it  has  nourished  ever  since. 

No  other  remarkable  occurrence  is  recorded  to  have 
happened  during  the  administration  of  the  Marquis  of 
Carnarvon,  except  a  proposition  for  establishing  a  plan  to 
appropriate  a  portion  of 'the  charity  to  place  out  the  sons 
of  Masons  apprentices;  which,  after  a  long  debate  in 
Grand  Lodge,  was  rejected.66 

Some  disagreeable  altercations  arose  in  the  Society 
about  this  period.  A  number  of  dissatisfied  Brethren, 
having  separated  .themselves  from  the  regular  Lodges, 
held  meetings  in  different  places,  for  the  purpose  of  initia- 
ting persons  into  Masonry,  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  These  seceding  Brethren,  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  breach  which  had  been  made  in  the  friendly 
intercourse  between  the  Grand  Lodges  of  London  and 
York,  on  being  censured  for  their  conduct,  immediately 
assumed  at  their  irregular  meetings,  without  authority, 
the  character  of  t  York  Masons.  Measures  were  adopted 
to  check  them,  which  stopped  their  progress  for  some 
time ;  but,  taking  advantage  of  the  general  murmur  spread 
abroad  on  account  of  some  innovations  that  had  been 
introduced,  and  which  seemed  to  authorize  an  omission 
of,  and  a  variation  in,  the  ancient  ceremonies,  they  rose 
again  into  notice.  This  imprudent  measure  of  the  regu- 
lar Lodges  offended  many  old  Masons;  but,  through  the 
mediation  of  John  Ward,  Esq.,  afterwards  Lord  Viscount 
Dudley  and  Ward,  matters  were  accommodated,  and  the 
Brethren  seemingly  reconciled.  This,  however,  proved 
only  a  temporary  suspension  of  hostilities  ;  for  the  flame 
soon  broke  out  anew,  and  gave  rise  to  commotions,  which 
afterwards  materially  interrupted  the  peace  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

Lord  Raymond  succeeded  the  Marquis  of  Carnarvon  in 
May,  1739  ;  and,  under  his  lordship's  auspices,  the  Lodges 
were  numerous  and  respectable.  Notwithstanding  the 
flourishing  state  of  the  Society,  however,*  irregularities 

66  Of  late  years,  however,  an  institution  has  been  established  for 
educating  and  clothing  the  sons  of  Freemasons  in  London. 


174  ILLUSTRATION? 

continued  to  prevail;  and  several  worthy  Brethren,  still 
adverse  to  the  encroachments  on  the  established  system 
of  the  institution,  seemed  to  be  highly  disgusted  at  the 
proceedings  of  the  regular  Lodges.  Complain  is  \\riv 
preferred  at  every  succeeding  Committee,  and  tin-  Com- 
munications were  fully  employed  in  adjusting  differences 
and  reconciling  animosities.  More  secessions  taking  place, 
it  became  necessary  to  pass  votes  of  censure  on  the  u 
refractory,  and  enact  laws  to  discourage  irregular  associa- 
tions of  the  Fraternity.  This  brought  the  power -of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  question;  and,  in  opposition  to  the  la\vs 
which  had  been  established  in  that  assembly,  Lodges 
were  formed  without  any  legal  warrant,  and  persons 
initiated  into  Masonry  for1  small  and  unworthy  considera- 
tions. To  disappoint  the  views  of  these  deluded  Breth- 
ren, and  to  distinguish  the  persons  initiated  by  them,  the 
Grand  Lodge  readily  acquiesced  in  the  imprudent  measures 
which  the  regular  Masons  had  adopted,  measures  which 
even  the  urgency  of  the  case  could  not  warrant.  Though 
this  had  the  intended  effect,  it  gave  rise  to  a  new  subter- 
fuge. The  Brethren  who  had  seceded  from  the  regular 
Lodges  immediately  announced  independency,  and  as- 
sumed the  appellation  ofa/iciwt  Masons.  "They  propagated 
an  opinion,  that  the  ancient  tenets  and  practices  of  .Mason- 
ry were  preserved  by  them  :  and  that  the  regular  Lo<L 
being  composed  of  modern  Masons,  had  adopted  ncu-  pi  ihs. 
and  were  not  to  be  considered  as  acting  under  the  M- 
establishment.  To  counteract  the  regulations  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  they  instituted  a  new  Grand  Lodge  in 
London,  professedly  on  the  ancient  system;  and,  contrary 
to  their  duty  as  Masons,  under  that  assumed  banner  con- 
stituted several  new  Lodges,  in  opposition  to  the  regular 
established  authority.  These  irregular  proceedings  they 
pretend  to  justify  under  the  feigned  sanction  of  the  Ancient 
York  Constitution;  and  many  gentlemen  of  reputation, 
being  deceived  by  this  artifice,  were  introduced  among 
them,  so  that. their  Lodges  daily  increased.  Without 
authority  from  the  Grand  Lodge  in  York,  or  from  any 
other  established  power  in  Masonry,  these  refractory 
Brethren  persevered  in  the  measures  they  had  adopted, 
formed  committees,  held  Communications,  and  even 
appointed  annual  feasts.  Under  the  false  appellation  of 
the  York  banner,  they  gained  the  countenance  of  the 


OF    MASONRY.  175 

Scotch  and  Irish  Masons ;  who,  placing  implicit  confi- 
dence in  the  representations  made  to  them,  heartily  joined 
in  condemning  the  measures  of  the  regular  Lodges  in 
London,  as  tending,  in  their  opinion,  to  introduce  novel- 
ties into  the  Society,  and  to  subvert  the  original  plan  of 
the  institution.  The  irregular  Masons  in  London  having 
thus  acquired  a  nominal  establishment,  noblemen  of  both 
kingdoms,  unacquainted  with  the  origin  of  the  separation, 
honoured  them  with  their  patronage,  and  some  respecta- 
ble names  arid  Lodges  were  added  to  their  list. 

During  the  presidency  of  Lord  Raymond,  no  considera- 
ble addition  was  made  to  the  list  of  Lodges,  nor  were  the 
Communications  often  honoured  with  the  company  of  the 
nobility.  His  lordship  granted  only  one  deputation  for 
a  Provincial  Grand  Master  during  his  presidency  ;  viz.,  for 
Savoy  and  Piedmont. 

The  Earl  of  Kintore  succeeded  Lord  Raymond  in  April, 
1740 ;  and,  in  imitation  of  his  predecessor,  continued  to 
discourage  irregularities.  His  lordship  appointed  several 
provincials,  particularly  one  for  Russia;  one  for  Ham- 
burgh and  the  Circle  of  Lower  Saxony ;  one  for  the  West 
Riding  of  York,  in  the  room  of  William  Horton,  Esq., 
deceased;  -and  one  for  the  island  of  Barbadoes. 

The  Earl  of  Morton  was  elected  on  the  19th  of  March 
following,  and  installed  with  great  solemnity  the  same 
day  at  Haberdashers'-hall,  in  presence  of  a  respectable 
company  of  the  nobility,  foreign  ambassadors,  and  others. 
Several  seasonable  laws  were  passed  during  his  lordship's 
mastership,  and  some  regulations  made  concerning  pro- 
cessions and  other  ceremonies.  His  lordship  presented 
a  staff  of  office  to  the  Treasurer,  of  neat  workmanship, 
blue  and  tipt  with  gold ;  and  the  Grand  Lodge  resolved, 
that  this  officer  should  be  annually  elected,  and,  with  the 
Secretary  and  Sword-bearer,  be  permitted  to  rank  in 
future  as  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  A  large  corne- 
lian seal,  with  the  arms  of  Masonry,  set  in  gold,  was 
presented  to  the  Society,  at  this  time,  by  brother  William 
Vaughan,  the  Senior  Grand  Warden,  who  was  appointed 
by  his  lordship  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  North 
Wales. 

Lord  Ward  succeeded  the  Earl  of  Morton  in  April,  1742. 
His  lordship  being  well  acquainted  with  the  nature  and 
government  of  the  Society,  having  served  every  office, 


176  ILLUSTRATIONS 

from  the  Secretary  in  a  private  Lodge  to  that  of  Grand 
Master,  lost  no  time  in  applying  effectual  remedies  to 
reconcile  the  animosities  which  prevailed ;  he  recommend- 
ed to  his  officers  vigilance  and  care  in  their  different  depart- 
ments; and,  by  his  own  conduct,  set  a  noble  example 
how  the  dignity  of  the  Society  ought  to  be  supported. 
Many  Lodges,  which  were  in  a  declining  state,  by  his 
advice  coalesced  with  others  in  better  circumstances; 
some,  which  had  been  negligent  in  their  attendance  on 
the  Communications,  after  proper  admonitions,  were 
restored  to  favour;  and  others,  which  persevered  in  the 
contumacy,  were  erased  from  the  list.  Thus  his  lord- 
ship manifested  a  sincere  regard  for  the  interest  of  the 
Society,  while  his  lenity  and  forbearance  were  universally 
admired. 

The  unanimity  and  harmony  of  the  Lodges  seemed  to 
be  perfectly  restored  under  his  lordship's  administration. 
The  Freemasons  at  Antigua  built  a  large  hall  in  that 
island  for  their  meetings,  and  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
for  liberty  to  be  styled'  the  Great  Lodge  of  St.  John's, 
in  Antigua,  which  favour  was  granted  to  them  in  April, 
1744. 

Lord  Ward  continued  two  years  at  the  head  of  the 
Fraternity;  during  which  time  he  constituted  many 
Lodges,  arid  appointed  several  Provincial  Grand  Masters, 
viz. :  one  for  Lancaster,  one  for  North  America,  and  three 
for  the  island  of  Jamaica.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Earl 
of  Strathmore ;  during  whose  administration,  he  being 
absent  the  whole  time,  the  care  and  management  of  the 
Society  devolved  on  the  other  Grand  Officers,  who  care- 
fully studied  the  general  good  of  the  Fraternity.  His 
lordship  appointed  a  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  the 
island  of  Bermuda. 

Lord  Oanstoun  was  elected  Grand  Master  in  April, 
1745,  and  presided  over  the  Fraternity  with  grea.t  repu- 
tation two  years.  Under  his  auspices  Masonry  flourished, 
several  new  Lodges  were  constituted,  and  one  Provincial 
Grand  Master  was  appointed  for  Cape  Breton  and  Louis- 
bourg.  By  a  resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  this  time 
it  was  ordered,  that  public  processions  on  feast-days  should 
be  discontinued";  occasioned  by  some  mock  processions, 
which  a  few  disgusted  Brethren  had  formed,  in  order  to 
burlesque  those  public  appearances. 


OF    MASONRY.  177 

Lord  Byron  succeeded  Lord  Cranstoun,  and  was  install- 
ed at  Drapers'-hall  on  the  30th  of  April,  1747.  The  laws 
of  the  Committee  of  Charity  were,  by  his  lordship's  order, 
revised,  printed,  and  distributed  among  the  Lodges  ;  and 
a  handsome  contribution  to  the  general  charity  was 
received  from  the  Lodge  at  Gibraltar.  During  five  years 
that  his  lordship  presided  over  the  Fraternity,  no  diligence 
was  spared  to  preserve  the  privileges  of  the  Order  invio- 
late, to  redress  grievances,  and  to  relieve  distress.  When 
business  required  his  lordship's  attendance  in  the  country, 
Fotherly  Baker,  Esq.,  his  Deputy,  and  Secretary  Revis, 
were  particularly  attentive  to  the  business  of  the  Society. 
The  former  was  distinguished  by  his  knowledge  of  the 
laws  and  regulations :  the  latter,  by  his  long  and  faithful 
services.  Under  the  auspices  of  Lord  Byron,  provincial 
patents  were  issued  for  Denmark  and  Norway,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Minorca,  and  New  York. 

On  the  20th  of  March.  1752,  Lord  Carysfort  accepted 
the  office  of  Grand  Master.  The  good  effects  of  his  lord- 
ship's application  to  the  real  interests  of  the  Fraternity 
soon  became  visible,  by  the  great  increase  of  the  public 
fund.  No  Grand  Officer  ever  took  more  pains  to  pre- 
serve, or  was  more  attentive  to  recommend,  order  and 
decorum.  He  -was  ready,  on  every  occasion,  to  visit  the 
Lodges  in  person,  and  to  promote  harmony  among  the 
members.  Dr,  Manningham,  his  Deputy,  was  no  less 
vigilant  in  the  execution  of  his  duty:  he  constantly 
visited  the  Lodges  in  his  lordship's  absence,  and  used 
every  endeavour  to  cement  union  among  the  Brethren. 
The  whole  proceedings  of  this  active  officer  were  con- 
ducted with  prudence;  and  his  candour  and  affability 
gained  him  universal  esteem.  The  Grand  Master's  attach- 
ment to  the  Society  was  so  obvious,  that  the  Brethren, 
in  testimony  of  their  gratitude  for  his  lordship's  great 
services,  re-elected  him  on  the  3rd  of  April,  1753;  and 
during  his  presidency,  provincial  patents  were  issued  for 
Gibraltar,  the  Bahama  Islands,  New  York,  Grfernsey, 
Jersey,  Alderney,  Sark,  and  Mann;  also  for  Cornwall 
and  the  counties  of  Worcester,  Gloucester,  Salop,  MOL- 
mouth,  and  Hereford. 

At  this  time  the  Society  in  Scotland  appears  to  have 
been  in  a  very  flourishing  state.  Under  the  auspices 
9* 


178  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  George  Drummond,  Esq.,  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
Masons  in  that  kingdom,  the  Lodges  had  considerably 
increased  in  numbers.  This  gentleman  had  thrice 
served  the  office  of  Lord  Provost  of  Edinburgh;  and, 
being  at  the  head  of  the  senate  in  that  city,  he  \vn.s 
anxious  to  promote  every  scheme  which  could  add  to 
the  consequence  and  splendour  of  the  metropolis  of  his 
native  country.  With  this  view  he  planned,  and  after- 
wards completed,  that  elegant  range  of  buildings  called 
THE  NEW  EXCHANGE  OF  EDINBURGH,  the  foundation- 
stone  of  which  he  laid  on  the  13th  of  September,  1753, 
as  Grand  Master.  An  event  so  remarkable  in  the  annals 
of  Masonry  justly  merits  attention,  and  cannot  fail  to 
render  an  account  of  a  ceremony  so  splendid,  and  con- 
ducted with  so  much  regularity,  interesting  to  every 
Brother  who  has  the  honour  of  the  Society  at  heart. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  day  appointed  for  the 
celebration  of  this  ceremony,  a  magnificent  triumphal 
arch,  in  the  true  Augustan  style,  was  opened  to  public 
view:  it  was  erected  at  the  entrance  leading  towards 
the  place  where  the  foundation-stone  of  the  intended 
building  was  to  be  laid.  In  the  niches  between  the 
columns  on  each  side  of  the  entrance  were  two  figures, 
representing  GEOMETRY  and  ARCHITECTURE,  each  as  large 
as  life.  On  the  frieze  of  the  entablature,  which  was  of 
the  Corinthian  order,  were  the  following  words:  QUOD 
FELIX  FAUSTUMQUE  SIT  j  that  it  may  be  happy  and  "prosper- 
ous. On  the  middle  panel  of  the  attic  base,  placed  over 
the  entablature,  wa»  represented  the  GENIUS  OF  EDIN- 
BURGH, in  a  curule  chair,  under  a  canopy;  on  her  right 
hand  stood  a  group  of  figures  representing  the  lord 
provost,  magistrates,  and  council,  in  their  robes;  on  her 
left  was  another  group,  representing  the  noblemen  and 
gentlemen  employed  in  the  direction  of  the  intended 
structure.  In  front  was  placed  the  Grand  Master,  otter- 
ing a  plan  of  the  Exchange,  attended  by  several  of  his 
Brethreli  properly  clothed.  The  whole  was  decorated 
with  laurels,  bays,  and  other  ever-greens,  interspersed 
with  festoons  of  flowers. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  several  Lodges, 
with  their  Masters  at  their  head,  met  at  Mary's  chapel, 
in  Niddry's  Wind;  and  at  half-past  three,  the  procession 


OF    MASONRY.  179 

began  to  move  from  the  chapel  in  the  following  order, 
the  city  guard  covering  the  rear: 

1.  Operative  Masons  not  belonging  to  any  Lodge  present. 

2.  A  band  of  French  horns. 

3.  The  Lodges  present,  arranged  as  follows : 

The  Military  Lodge  belonging  to  General  Johnson's  regiment. 
The  Thistle  Lodge. 
The  Scots'  Lodge  in  Canongate. 
Holyrood-house  Lodge. 
Vernon  Kil  winning  Lodge. 
Canongate  from  Leith  Lodge. 
Dalkeith  Lodge. 
Lodge  of  Journeymen  Masons, 
Canongate  and  Leith,  Leith  and  Canongate  Lodge. 
Leith  Kilwinning  Lodge. 
Canongate  Kilwinning  Lodge. 
Mary's  Chapel  Lodge. 

All  the  Brethren  properly  clothed,  and  the  Masters  and  Wardens  in 
the  jewels  of  their  respective  Lodges,  with  their  badges  of 
dignity,  formed  the  last  rank  of  each  Lodge. 

4.  Gentlemen  Masons  belonging  to  foreign  Lodges. 

5.  A  band  of  Hautboys. 

6.  The  Golden  Compasses,  carried  by  an  Operative  Mason. 

7.  Three  Grand  Stewards,  with  rods. 

8.  The  Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  Grand  Clerk. 

9.  Three  Grand  Stewards,  with  rods. 

10.  The  Golden  Square,  Level,  and  Plumb,  carried  by  three  Operative 

Masons. 

11.  A  band  of  French  horns. 

12.  Three  Grand  Stewards,  with  rods. 

13.  The  Grand  Wardens. 

14.  The  Cornucopia,  and  Golden  Mallet,  carried  by  an  officer  of  the 

Grand  Lodge,  and  an  Operative  Mason. 

15.  The  GRAND  MASTER,  supported  by  a  Past  Grand  Master,  and  the 

present  Substitute. 

The  procession  was  closed  with  a  body  of  Operative 
Masons;-  and  the  whole  Brethren,  amounting  exactly  to 
672,  walked  uncovered. 

At  the.  head  of  Niddry's  Wind  the  cavalcade  was 
received  by  150  of  the  military,  and  a  company  of  grena- 
diers, drawn  up  in  two  lines,  under  arms,  who  escorted 
the  procession;  one  half  of  the  grenadiers  marching  in 
front,  and  the  other  half  in  the  rear,  with  bayonets  fixed. 
As  the  procession  passed  the  city  guard,  a  company  was 
drawn  out,  with  the  proper  officers  at  their  head,  who 
saluted  the  Grand  Master  with  military  honours,  drums 
beating,  and  music  playing.  When  the  procession 


180  ILLUSTRATIONS 

reached  the  Parliament  Close,  the  troops  formed  a  line, 
as  did  also  the  Masons  within  that  line.  The  Grand 
Master  and  the  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  then  made  a 
stop  at  the  north-west  corner  of  the  Close,  and  dis- 
patched a  message  to  the  Council-house,  to  acquaint  the 
magistrates  that  the  Brethren  were  ready,  to  receive 
them;  on  which  the  lord  provost,  magistrates,  and 
council,  in  their  robes,  preceded  by  the  city  officers,  with 
the  sword  and  mace,  accompanied  by  several  of  the 
gentlemen  in  the  direction  of  the  intended  buildings, 
proceeded  through  the  lines  formed  by  the  soldiers  and 
the  Masons ;  when  the  Grand  Master,  properly  supported 
as  before,  preceded  by  his  officers,  and  having  his  jewels 
borne  before  him,  marched  to  the  place  where  the  cere- 
mony was.  to  be  performed,  and  passed  through  the 
triumphal  arch  erected  for  the  occasion,  the  Lodges 
following  according  to  seniority.  On  the  west  side  of 
the  place  where  the  stone  was  to  be  laid,  was  erected  a 
theatre,  covered  with  tapestry  and  decked  with  flowers, 
for  the  lord  provost,  magistrates,  council,  and  attendants  ; 
on  the  east  was  erected  another  theatre  for  the  Grand 
Master  and  his  officers,  on  which  was  set  a  chair  for  the 
Grand  Master.  Before  the  chair  was  a  table  covered 
with  tapestry,  on  which  were  placed  two  silver  vessels, 
filled  with  wine  and  oil;  the  golden  jewels;  and  the 
cornucopia,  which  had  been  carried  in  the  procession. 
The  Masters,  Wardens,  and  Brethren  of  the  several 
Lodges  were  then  arranged  in  galleries  properly  fitted 
up  for  the  occasion. 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  stone  now  commenced. 
By  order  of  the  Substitute  Grand  Master,  the  stone  was 
slung  into  a  tackle,  and,  after  three  regular  stops,  let 
down  gradually  to  the  ground ;  during  which  the  Masonic 
anthem  was  sung,  accompanied  by  the  music,  all  the 
Brethren  joining  in  the  chorus.  The  Grand  Master, 
supported  as  before,  preceded  by  his  officers,  and  the 
operative  Masons  carrying  the  jewels,  then  descended 
from  the  theatre  to  the  spot  where  the  stone  lay,  and 
passed  through  a  line  formed  by  the  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  Substitute  Grand  Master  deposited  in  the 
stone,  in  cavities  made  for  the  purpose,  three  medals 
with  the  following  devices :  On  one  side  were  the  effigies 


OF    MASONRY. 


181 


of  the  Grand  Master,  in  profile,  vested  with  the  ribbon 
officially  worn  by  him ;  and  in  front,  a  view  of  the  Royal 
Infirmary,  with  the  following  inscription: 

G.  DRUMMOND,  ARCHITECT.  SCOT. 
SVMMVS  MAGIS  EDIN.  TER  Cos. 

GEORGE  DRUMMOND,  of  the  Society  of  Free-Masons  in  Scotland 
Grand  Master,. thrice  Provost  of  Edinburgh.  On  the  reverse  was  a 
perspective  view  of  the  Exchange,  on  which  was  inscribed  in  the 
circle,  VERBI  EXORNAND^E  CIVJVMQVE  COMMODITATI,  For  adorning  the 
City,  and  the  conveniency  of  its  inhabitants ;  and  underneath, 

FORI  NOVI  EDINBVRGENSIS 
POSITO  LAPIDE  PRLMO 

ORDO    PER    SCOTIAM    ARCHITECTONICUS 
EXCUDI    JUSSIT, 

xiii.  SEPTEMBRIS  1753. 

The  first  stone  of  the  New  Exchange  of  Edinburgh  being  laid,  the 
brotherhood  of  Masons  through  Scotland  ordered  this  to  be  struck, 
13th  September,  1753. 

The  other  medals  contained  the  effigies  as  above;  and 
on  the  reverse  the  Masons'  Arms,  inclosed  within  the 
collar  of  St.  Andrew,  with  the  following  inscription: 

IN  THE  LORD  is  ALL  OUR  TRUST. 

The  former  Grand  Master  and  the  Substitute  retiring, 
two  Operative  Masons  came  in  their  place,  and  assisted 
the  Grand  Master  to  turn  over  the  stone,  and  lay  it  in  its 
proper  bed,  with  the  inscription67  undermost. 

67  The  following  is  the  inscription  on  the  stone : 
GEORGIUS  DRUMMONDUS 

IN    ARCHITECTONICA    ScOTI^E    B,EPUB. 

CURIO  MAXIMUS 

URBIS  EDINBURGI  TER  CONSUL 

ApSTANTIBUS  FRATRIBUS  ARCHITECTONICIS  CCC. 

PRJESENTIBUS  MULTIS  REGNI  MAGNATIBUS 

SENATU  ETIAM  POPULOQUE  EDINENSI 

ET  HOMINUM  ORDINIS  CUJUSQUE 

MAGNA  STIPANTE  FREQUENTLY 

CUNCTISQ.UE  PLAUDENTIBUS 
AD  EDINENSIUM  COMMODITATEM 

ET    DECUS    PUBLICUM 

^EDIFICIORUM  NOVORUM  PRINCIPIUM 

LAPIDEM  HUNC  POSUIT 

GULIELMO  ALEXANDRO  Cos. 

IDIBUS  SEPTEMBR.  A.D.  MDCCLIIL 


182  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Grand  Master  then  taking  his  station  at  the  east 
of  the  stone,  with  the  Substitute  on  the  left,  and  his 
Wardens  in  the  west,  the  Operative  who  carried  the 
square  delivered  it  to  the  Substitute,  who  presented  it 
to  the  Grand  Master;  and  he,  having  applied  it  to  that 
part  of  the  stone  which  was  square,  returned  it  back  to 
the  Operative.  The  Operative  who  carried  the  plumb, 
then  delivered  it  to  the  Substitute,  who  presented  it  also 
to  the  Grand  Master;  and  he,  having  applied  it  to  the 
edges  of  the  stone,  holding  it  upright,  delivered  it  back 
to  the  Operative.  In  like  manner,  the  Operative  who 
carried  the  level  delivered  it  to  the  Substitute,  and  he 
presented  it  to  the  Grand  Master,  who  applied  it  above 
the  stone  in  several  positions,  and  returned  it  back  to 
the  Operative.  The  mallet  was  then  presented  to  the 
Grand  Master,  who  gave  three  knocks  upon  the  stone, 
which  was  followed  by  three  huzzas  from  the  Brethren. 
An  anthem  was  then  sung,  accompanied  by  the  music  ; 
during  which  the  cornucopia,  and  the  two  silver  vessels 
containing  the  wine  and  oil,  were  brought  down  to  the 
stone.  The  cornucopia  was  delivered  to  the  Substitute, 
and  the  vessels  to  the  Wardens.  The  anthem  being 
concluded,  the  Substitute  presented  the  cornucopia  to 
the  Grand  Master,  who  turned  out  the  ears  of  corn  upon 
the  stone.  The  silver  vessels  were  then  delivered  by 
the  Wardens  to  the  Substitute,  arid  by  him  presented  to 
the  Grand  Master,  who  poured  the  contents  upon  the 
stone,  saying,  "  May  the  bountiful  hand  of  Heaven  supply 
this  city  with  abundance  of  corn,  wine,  oil,  and  all  the 


ARCHITECTONICS  VMDCCLIII. 
IMPERIIQUE  GEORGII  II.  BRITANNIARUM  REGIS 
ANNO  xxvu. 

Translated: 

GEORGE  DRUMMOND,  of  the  Society  of  Free-Masons  in  Scotland, 
Grand  Master,  thrice  Provost  of  Edinburgh,  three  hundred  brother 
Masons  attending,  in  presence  of  many  persons  of  distinction,  the 
Magistrates  and  Citizens  of  Edinburgh,  and  of  people  of  every  rank 
an  innumerable  Multitude,  and  all  applauding,  for  the  conveniency 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Edinburgh,  and  the  public  ornament,  as  the  be- 
ginning of  the  new  Buildings,  laid  (his  Stone,  WILLIAM  ALEXANDER, 
being  Provost,  on  the  13th  September,  175.'},  of  the  ^ra  of  Masonry, 
5753,  and  of  the  reign  of  GEORGE  II.,  King  of  Great  Britain,  the 
27th  year. 


OF    MASONRY  188 

other  conveniences  of  life!"  This  was  succeeded  by 
three  huzzas,  after  which  ah  anthem  was  sung.  The 
Grand  Master  then  repeated  these  words  :  "As  we  have 
now  laid  this  foundation-stone,  may  the  Grand  Architect 
of  the  universe,  of  his  kind  providence,  enable  us  to  carry 
on  and  finish  the  work  which  we  have  now  begun ;  may 
he  be  a  guard  to  this  place,  and  the  city  in  general ;  and 
may  he  preserve  it  from  decay  and  ruin  to  the  latest 
posterity."  The  ceremony  was  concluded  with  a  short 
prayer  for  the  sovereign,  the  senate  of  the  city,  the  Fra- 
ternity of  Masons,  and  all  the  people;  the  music  was 
resumed,  and  the  Grand  Master  returned  to  his  chair, 
amid  the  plaudits  of  the  Brethren. 

The  Grand  Master  then  addressed  the  lord  provost, 
magistrates,  and  council,  in  an  appropriate  speech ;  in 
which  he  thanked  them  for  the  honour  which  they  had 
done  him  in  witnessing  the  act  of  laying  the  foundation- 
stone  of  the  intended  structure,  and  expressed  his  earnest 
wish  that  they  and  their  successors  might  be  happy 
instruments  to  forward  the  great  and  good  work  which 
was  now  begun,  and  offered  so  fair  a  prospect  of  success ; 
and  he  sincerely  hoped,  that  it  might  add,  not  only  to 
the  ornament  and  advantage  of  the  city  of  Edinburgh, 
but  be  the  means  of  insuring  to  them  lasting  honour, 
and  transmitting  their  memories  to  the  latest  posterity. 
He  next  addressed  the  undertakers  of  the  work  on  the 
importance  of  the  trust  reposed  in  them,  and  recom- 
mended diligence  and  industry  to  all  the  workmen  who 
might  be  employed  under  them. 

The  magistrates  then  took  their  leave,  and  the  Breth- 
ren resumed  the  procession  to  the  palace  of  Holyrood- 
house,  escorted  by  the  military  as  before,  amidst  an 
immense  crowd  of  spectators.  On  arriving  at  the  palace, 
the  Grand  Master,  in  the  name  of  himself  and  his  Breth- 
ren, returned  his  most  grateful  acknowledgments  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  troops  for  the  assistance  which 
he  had  given.  The  Brethren  then  entered  the  inner 
court  of  the  palace,  and  formed  a  square,  to  receive  the 
Grand  Master  and  his  officers  with  all  due  honour;  who, 
followed  by  the  Lodges  according  to  seniority,  proceeded 
to  the  great  gallery,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was 
provided,  and  the  greatest  harmony  prevailed.  At  nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening  the  company  broke  up.^^j  g  f 


184  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Such  was  the  regularity  observed  throughout  the 
ceremony  of  the  day,  that,  notwithstanding  the  crowds 
of  people  who  were  collected  on  the  occasion,  the  whole 
was  concluded  without  a  single  accident.68 

The  Marquis  of  Carnarvon  (afterwards  Duke  of  Chan- 
dos)  succeeded  Lord  Carysfort  in  the  office  of  Grand 
Master  of  England,  in  March,  1754.  He  began  his 
administration  by  ordering  the  Book  of  Constitutions  to 
be  reprinted,  under  the  inspection  of  a  committee,  con- 
sisting of  the  Grand  Officers,  and  some  other  respectable 
Brethren.  The  Grand  Master's  zeal  and  attention  to  the 
true  interests  of  the  Society  were  .shown  on  every  occa- 
sion. He  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  a  large  silver 
jewel,  gilt,  for  the  use  of  the  Treasurer,  being  cross  keys 
in  a  knot,  enamelled  with  blue;  and  gave  several  other 
proofs  of  his  attachment. 

Soon  after  the  election  of  the  Marquis  of  Carnarvon, 
the  Grand  Lodge  took  into  consideration  a  complaint 
against  certain  Brethren,  for  assembling,  without  any 
legal  authority,  under  the  denomination  of  ancient  masons; 
and  who,  as  such,  considered  themselves  independent  of 
the  Society,  and  not  subject  to  the  laws  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  or  to'  the  control  of  the  Grand  Master.  Dr.  Man 
ningham,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  pointed  out  the 
necessity  of  discouraging  such  meetings,  as  being  con- 
trary to  the  laws  of  the  Society,  and  openly  subversive 
of  the  allegiance  due  to  the  Grand  Master.  On  this  rep- 
resentation the  Grand  Lodge  resolved,  that  the  meeting 
of  any  Brethren  under  the  denomination  of  Masons,  other 
than  as  Brethren  of  the  ancient  and  honourable  Society 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  established  upon  the  uni- 
versal system,  is  inconsistent  with  the  honour  and  interest 
of  the  Craft,  and  a  high  insult  on  the  Grand  Master  and 
the  whole  body  of  Masons.  In  consequence  of  this  reso- 
lution fourteen  Brethren,  who  were  members  of  a  Lodge 
held  at  the  Ben  Jonson's  head,  in  Pelham-street,  Spital- 
h'elds,  were  expelled  the  Society,  and  that  Lodge  was 
ordered  to  be  erased  from  the  list. 

No  preceding  Grand  Master  granted  so  many  provincial 

cs  I  have  been  thus  minute  in  the  above  detail,  not  only  that  an 
event  of  such  importance  to  the  Society  might  be  recorded,  but  that 
it  might  serve  as  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  in  ceremonies  of  a 
similar  kind  on  a  future  occasion. 


OF    MASONRY.  185 

deputations  as  the  Marquis  of  Carnarvon.  On  the  7th 
of  October,  1755,  his  lordship  appointed  a  Provincial 
Grand  Master  for  Durham,  and  soon  after  a  very  respect- 
able Lodge  was  constituted  at  Sunderland  under  his 
lordship's  auspices.  In  less  than  two  years  the  following 
patents  were  issued  by  his  lordship;  1.  for  South  Caro- 
lina; 2.  for  South  Wales;  3.  for  Antigua;  4.  for  all  North 
America,  where  no  former  provincial  was  appointed ;  5. 
for  Barbadoes,  and  all  other  his  Majesty's  islands  to  the 
windward  of  Guadaloupe;  6.  for  St.  Eustatius,  Cuba, 
and  St.  Martin's,  Dutch  Caribbee  islands  in  America;  7. 
for  Sicily,  and  the  adjacent  islands;  8.  for  all  his  Majes- 
ty's dominions  in  Germany,  with  the  power  to  choose 
their  successors ;  and  9.  for  the  County  Palatine  of  Ches- 
ter, and  the  City  and  County  of  .Chester.  The  greater 
part  of  these  appointments  appear  to  have  been  mere 
honorary  grants  in  favour  of  individuals,  few  of  them 
having  been  attended  with  any  real  advantage  to  the 
Society. 

The  Marquis  of  Carnarvon  continued  to  preside  over 
the  Fraternity  till  the  18th  of  May,  1757,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Lord  Aberdour ;  during  whose  mastership 
the  Grand  Lodge  voted,  among  other  charities,  the  sum 
of  fifty  pounds  to  be  sent  to  Germany,  to  be  distributed 
among  such  of  the  soldiers  as  were  Masons  in  Prince 
Ferdinand's  army,  whether  English,  Hanoverians,  or 
Hessians ;  and  this  sum  was  soon  after  remitted  to  Gene- 
ral Kingsley  for  the  intended  purpose. 

These  were  the  principal  proceedings  of  the  Fraternity 
during  the  reigri  of  George  II.,  who,  on  the  25th  of  Octo- 
W/,  1760,  expired  at  his  palace  at  Kensington,  in  the 
77th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  34th  of  his  reign. 

This  period  seems  to  have  been  the  golden  sera  of 
Masonry  in  England;  the  sciences  were  cultivated  and 
improved,  the  royal  art  was  diligently  propagated,  and 
true  architecture  clearly  understood;  the  Fraternity 
were  honoured  and  esteemed  ;  the  Lodges  patronized  by 
exalted  characters;  and  charity,  humanity,  and  benevo- 
lence, appeared  to  be  the  distinguishing  characteristics 
of  Masons. 


186  ILLUSTRATIONS 


SECT.  X. 

History  of  Masonry  in    the   South   of  England  from   t/ie 
Accession  of  George  III.  to  the  End  of  the  Year  1779. 

ON  the  26th  of  October,  1760,  his  late  Majesty,  George 
III.,  was  proclaimed.  No  prince  ever  ascended  the 
throne,  whose  private  virtues  and  amiable  character  had 
so  justly  endeared  him  to  his  people.  To  see  a  native 
of  England  the  sovereign  of  these  realms,  afforded  the 
most  glorious  prospect  of  fixing  our  happy  constitution 
in  church  and  state  on  the  firmest  base.  Under  such  a 
patron,  the  polite  arts  could  not  fail  of  meeting  with 
every  encouragement ;  and  to  the  honour  of  his  Majesty 
it  is  to  be  observed,  that,  after  his  accession  to  the  throne, 
by  his  royal  munificence  no  pains  were  spared  to  explore 
distant  regions  in  pursuit  of  useful  knowledge,  and  to 
diffuse  science  throughout  every  part  of  his  dominions. 

Masonry  now  flourished  at  home  and  abroad  under  the 
English  Constitution ;  and  Lord  Aberdour  continued  at 
the  head  of  the  Fraternity  five  years,  during  which  time 
the  public  festivals  and  quarterly  communications  were 
regularly  held.  His  lordship  equalled  any  of  his  prede- 
cessors in  the  number  of  appointments  to  the  office  of 
Provincial  Grand  Master,  having  granted  the  following 
deputations:  1.  for  Antigua  and  the  Leeward  Caribbee 
islands ;  £.  for  the  town  of  Norwich  and  county  of  Nor- 
folk; 3.  for  the  Bahama  islands,  in  the  room  of  the  gov- 
ernor deceased;  4.  for  Hamburgh  and  Lower  Saxony;  o. 
for  Guadaloupe ;  6.  for  Lancaster ;  7.  for  the  province  of 
Georgia;  8.  for  Catfada;  9.  for  Andalusia,  and  places 
adjacent;  10.  for  Bermuda;  11.  for  Carolina;  12.  for 
Musquito  shore ;  and  13.  for  East  India.  The  second  of 
these  appointments,  viz.,  for  Norwich,  is  one  by  which 
the  Society  has  been  materially  benefited.  By  the  dili- 
gence and  attention  of  the  late  Edward  Bacon,  Esq.,  to 
whom  the  patent  was  first  granted,  the  Lodges  in  Nor- 
wich and  Norfolk  considerably  increased,  and  Masonry 
was  regularly  conducted  in  that  province,  under,  bis 
inspection,  for  many  years. 


OF    MASONRY.  187 

Lord  Aberdour  held  the  office  of  Grand  Master  till  the 
3rd  of  May,  1762,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Earl  Fer- 
rers, during  whose  presidency  nothing  remarkable  oc- 
curred. The  Society  seems  at  this  time  to  have  lost  much 
of  its  consequence  ;  the  general  assemblies  and  communi- 
cations not-  having  been  honoured  with  the  presence  of 
the  nobility  as  formerly,  and  many  Lodges  being  erased 
from  the  list  for  non-attendance  on  the  duties  of  the  Grand 
Lodge69.  By  the  diligence  and  attention,  however,  of  the 
late  General  John  Salter,  then  Deputy  Grand  Master,  the 
business  of  the  Society  was  carried  on  with  regularity, 
and  the  fund  of  charity  considerably  increased.  Provin- 
cial patents  were  made  out  during  Earl  Ferrers'  presi- 
dency ;  1.  for  Jamaica  ;  2.  for  East  India,  where  no  par- 
ticular provincial  was  before  appointed  ;  3.  for  Cornwall ; 
4.  for  Armenia ;  5.  for  Westphalia ;  6.  for  Bombay ;  7. 
for  the  Dukedom  of  Brunswick  ;  8.  for  the  Grenadas,  St. 
Vincent,  Dominica,  Tobago,  &c. ;  and-  9.  for  Canada. 
From  these  appointments  no  considerable  emoluments 
have  resulted  to  the  Society,  excepting  from  the  third  and 
sixth;  George  Bell  for  Cornwall;  and  James  Todd  for 
Bombay.  Both  these  gentlemen  were  particularly  atten- 
tive to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices ;  especially 
the  former,  to  whom  the  Society  is  in  a  great  measure  in- 
debted for  the  flourishing  state  of  Masonry  in  Cornwall. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1 764,  at  an  assembly  and  feast  at 
Vintners'-hall,  Lord  Blaney  was  elected  Grand  Master. 
Lord  Ferrers  invested  John  Revis,  Esq.,  late  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  as  proxy  for  his  lordship,  who  continued 
in  office  two  years;  during  which  time,  he  being  chiefly 
in  Ireland,  the  business  of  the  Society  was  faithfully  exe- 
cuted by  his  Deputy,  General  Salter,  an  active  and  vigi- 
lant officer.  The  scheme  of  opening  a  subscription  for 
the  purchase  of  furniture  for  the  Grand  Lodge  was  agi- 
tated about  this  time,  and  some  money  collected  for  the 
purpose ;  but  the  design  dropped  for  want  of  encour- 
agement. A  new  edition  of  the  Book  of  Constitutions 
was  ordered  to  be  printed,  under  the  inspection  of  a  com- 

19  After  this  period,  new  Constitutions  had  been  too  easily  granted, 
and  Lodges  multiplied  beyond  proportion.  A  proper  check,  however 
is  now  put  to  this  practice  ;  the  legislature  having  prohibited,  by  a 
la'e  Act  of  Parliament,  the  constituting  of  any  new  Lodges. 


188  ILLUSTRATIONS 

mittee,  with  a  continuation  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Society  since  the  publication  of  the  last  edition. 

During  Lord  Blaney's  presidency,  the  Dukes  of  Glou- 
cester and  Cumberland,  his  Majesty's  brothers,  were  ini- 
tiated into  the  Order  ;  the  former  at  an  occasional  Lodge 
assembled  at  the  Horn  Tavern,  Westminster,  on  the  16th 
of  February,  1766,  at  which  his  lordship  presided  in 
person  ;  the  latter  at  an  occasional  Lodge  assembled  at 
the  Thatched  House  Tavern,  in  St.  James' s-street,  under 
the  direction  of  General  Salter. 

The  following  deputations  for  the  office  of  Provincial 
Grand  Master  were  granted  by  Lord  Blaney :  1.  for  Bar- 
badoes ;  2.  for  Upper  Saxony  ;  3.  fo  Stockholm  ;  4.  for 
Virginia  ;  5.  for  Bengal ;  6.  for  Italy ;  7.  for  the  Upper 
and  Lower  Rhine,  and  the  circle  of  Franconia  ;  8.  for 
Antigua  ;  9.  for  the  Electorate  of  Saxony  ;  10.  for  Madras, 
and  its  dependencies;  11.  for  Hampshire;  and  12.  for 
Montserrat.  The  fifth,  tenth,  and  eleventh  of  these  ap- 
pointments have  been  faithfully  executed.  By  the  inde- 
fatigable assiduity  of  that  truly  masonsic  luminary,  the 
late  Thomas  Dunckerley,  Esq.,  in  whose  favour  the 
appointment  for  Hampshire  was  first  made  out,  Masonry 
made  considerable  progress  in  that  province,  as  well  as 
in  many  other  counties  Tn  England.  Soon  after  his  ap- 
pointment to  this  office,  he  accepted  the  superintendence 
of  the  Lodges  in  Dorsetshire,  Essex,  Gloucestershire, 
Somersetshire,  and  Herefordshire70.  The  revival  of  the 
Bengal  and  Madras  appointments  has  been  also  attended 
with  considerable  advantage  to  the  Society,  as  is  evident 
by  the  late  liberal  remittances  from  the  East  Indies. 

Among  several  regulations  respecting  the  fees  of  Con- 
stitutions, and  other  matters,  which  passed  during  Lord 
Blaney's  administration,  was  the  following  :  That  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  entertained  the  highest  sense  of  the  honour 
conferred  on  the  Society  by  the  initiation  of  the  Dukes  of 
Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  it  was  resolved,  that  each  of 
their  royal  highnesses  should  be  presented  with  an  apron, 

70  In  grateful  testimony  of  the  zealous  and  indefatigable  exertions 
of  this  gentlemen,  for  many  years,  to  promote  the  honour  and  interest 
of  the  Spciety,  the  Grand  Lodge  resolved,  that  he  should  rank  as  a 
Past  Senior  .Grand  Warden,  and  in  all  processions  take  place  next  the 
present  Senior  Grand  Warden  for  the  time  being.  In  November, 
1795,  he  died  at  Portsmouth. 


OF    MASONRY.  189 

hned  with  blue  silk  ;  and  that,  in  all  future  processions, 
they  should  rank  as  Past  Grand  Masters,  next  to  the  Grand 
Officers  for  the  time  being.  The  same  compliment  was 
also  paid  to  their  royal  brother,  the  late  Duke  of  York, 
who  was  initiated  into  Masonry  abroad,  while  on  his 
travels. 

The  Duke  of  Beaufort  succeeded  Lord  Blaney  in  the 
office  of  Grand  Master,  and  was  installed  by  proxy  at 
Merchant  Tailors'-hall  on  the  27th  of  April,  1767  ;  and 
under  his  patronage  the  Society  flourished. 

^•In  the  beginning  of  1768,  two  letters  were  received 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  France,  expressing  a  desire  of 
opening  a  regular  correspondence  with  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  England.  This  was  cheerfully  agreed  to ;  and  a  Book 
of  Constitutions,  with  a  list  of  the  Lodges  under  the 
Constitution  of  England,  and  the  form  of  a  deputation, 
elegantly  bound,  were  ordered  to  be  sent  as  a  present  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  France. 

Several  regulations  for  the  future  government  of  the 
Society  were  also  made  out  about  this  time  ;  particularly 
one  respecting  the  office  of  Provincial  Grand  Master.  At 
a  Grand  Lodge,  held  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor  Tavern  in 
the  Strand,  on  the  29th  of  April,  1768,  it  was  resolved, 
that  ten  guineas  should  be  paid  to  the  fund  of  charity,  on 
the  appointment  of  every  Provincial  Grand  Master  who 
had  not  served  the  office  of  Grand  Steward. 

The  most  remarkable  occurrence  during  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  was,  the  plan  of  an  in- 
corporation of  the  Society  by  royal  charter.  At  a  Grand 
Lodge,  held  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor  Tavern  on  the2Sth 
of  October,  1768,  a  report  was  made  from  the  Committee 
of  Charity,  held  on  the  21st  of  that  month,  at  the  Horn 
Tavern  in  Fleet-street,  of  the  Grand  Master's. intentions 
to  have  the  Society  incorporated  if  it  met  with  the  ap- 
probation of  the  Brethren ;  the  advantages  of  the  meas- 
ure were  fully  explained,  and  a  plan  for  carrying  it  .into 
immediate  effect  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of 
the  Committee.  This  plan  being  approved  in  the  Grand 
Lodge,  thanks  were  voted  to  the  Grand  Master  for  his 
attention  to  the  interests  and  prosperity  of  the  Society. 
The  Hon.  Charles  Dillon,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  in- 
formed, the  Brethren,  that  he  had  submitted  to  the  Com- 
mittee a  plan  for  raising  a  fund  to  build  a  hall,  and  pur- 


190  ILLUSTRATIONS 

chase  jewels,  furniture,  &c.,  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  inde- 
pendent of  the  general  fund  of  Charity  ;  a  measure  which, 
he  apprehended,  would  be  a  proper  prelude  to  the  incor- 
poration, should  it  be  the  wish  of  the  Society  to  obtain  a 
charter.  This  plan  being  also  maturely  investigated, 
several  amendments  were  made,  and  the  whole  referred 
to  the  next  Grand  Lodge  for  confirmation.  In  the  mean 
time  it  was  resolved,  that  the  plan  should  be  printed,  and 
transmitted  to  every  Lodge  on  record71.  The  Duke  of 
Beaufort,  finding  that  the  Society  approved  of  the  Incor- 
poration, contributed  his  best  endeavours  to  carry  the 
design  into  execution  ;  at  first  he  was  opposed  by  a  few 
Brethren,  who  misconceived  his  good  intentions  ;  but  the 
majority  of  the  Society  persevering  in  the  measure,  a 
copy  of  the  intended  charter  was  printed,  and  ordered  to 
be  dispersed  among  the  Lodges72.  From  the  return  of 
the  different  Lodges,  it  appeared  that  one  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  had  voted  for  the*  incorporation,  and  only 
forty-three  against  it ;  upon  which  a  motion  was  made  in 
Grand  Lodge,  on  theSSth  of  April,  1769,  that  the  Society 
should  be  incorporated,  and  it  was  carried  in  the  affirma- 
tive by  a  great  majority. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge,  held  at  the  Crown  and  Anchoi 
Tavern,  on  the  27th  of  October,  1769,  it  was  resolved, 
That  the  sum  of  1300/.,  then  standing  in  the  names  of 
Rowland  Berkeley,  Esq.,  the  Grand  Treasurer,  and  Mr. 
Arthur  Beardmore  and  Mr.  Richard  Nevison,  his  sureties, 

71  This  plan   consisted   chiefly  of  certain   fees  to  be  paid  by  the 
Grand  Officers  annually,  by  new  Lodges  at  their  Constitution  and  by 
Brethren  at  initiation  into  Masonry,  or  admission  in  Lodges  as  mem- 
bers, &c. 

72  Before  the  Society  had  come  to  any  determinate  resolution  on  the 
business,  the  members  of  a  respectable  Lodge,  then  held  at  the  Half- 
Moon  Tavern,  Cheapside,  entered  a  caveat  in  the  Attorney-General's 
office  against  the  incorporation  ;  and,  this  circumstance  being  reported 
to  the  Grand  Lodge,  an  impeachment  was  laid  against  the  officers  of 
that  Lodge,  for  unwarrantably,  exposing  the  private  resolutions  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.     On   the    business    being   brought  before  the  Grand 
Lodge,  it  was  determined,  that  the  members  of  the  said  Lodge  had 
been  guilty  of  a  great  offence,  in  presuming  to  oppose  the  resolutions 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  frustrate  the  intentions  of  the  Society.     A 
motion  was  therefore  made,  that  the  Lodge  should  be  erased  from  the 
list ;  but,  on  the  Master  acknowledging  the  mult,  and,  in  the  name  of 
himself  and  his  Brethren,  making  a  proper  apology,  the  motion  was 
withdrawn,  and  the  offence  forgiven. 


OF    MASONRY.  191 

in  the  three  per  cent,  bank  consolidated  annuities,  in 
trust  for  the  Society,  be  transferred  into  the  names  of  the 
present  Grand  Officers ;  and,  at  an  extraordinary  Grand 
Lodge,  on  the  29th  of  November  following,  the  Society 
was  informed,  that  Mr.  Beardmore  had  refused  to  join  in 
the  transfer ;  upon  which  it  was  resolved,  that  letters 
should  be  sent,  in  the  name  of  the  Society,  signed  by 
the  acting  Grand  Officers,  to  Lord  Blaney,  the  Past  Grand 
Master,  and  to  his  Deputy  and  Wardens,  to  whom  the 
Grand  Treasurer  and  sureties  had  given  bond,  requesting 
their  concurrence  in  the  resolutions  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
on  the  29th  of  October  last.  Mr.  Beardmore,  however, 
dying  soon  after,  the  desire  of  the  Grand  Lodge  was  com- 
plied with  by  Mr.  Nevison,  his  executor,  and  the  transfer 
regularly  made. 

The  Duke  of  Beaufort  constituted  several  new  Lodges, 
and  granted  the  following  provincial  deputations  during 
his  presidency:  1.  for  South  Carolina;  2.  Jamaica;  3. 
Barbadoes  ;  4.  Naples  and  Sicily  ;  5.  the  Empire  of  Rus- 
sia; and  6.  the  Austrian  Netherlands.  The  increase  of 
foreign  Lodges  occasioned  the  institution  of  a  new  officer, 
a  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  foreign  Lodges  in  general  ; 
and  his  grace  accordingly  nominated  a  gentleman  for  that 
office.  He  also  appointed  Provincial  Grand  Masters  for 
Kent,  Suffolk,  Lancashire,  and  Cumberland.  Another 
new  appointment  likewise  took  place  during  his-grace's 
administration,  viz.,  the  office  of  General  Inspector  or 
Provincial  Grand  Master  for  Lodges  within  the  bills  of 
mortality ;  but,  the  majority  of  the  Lodges  in  London 
disapproving  the  appointment,  the  authority  was  soon 
after  withdrawn. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge,  held  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor 
Tavern,  on  the  25th  of  April,  1770,  the  Provincial  Grand 
Master  for  foreign  Lodges  acquainted  the  Society,  that 
he  had  lately  received  a  letter  from  Charles  Baron  de 
Boetzelaer,  Grand  Master  of  the  National  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  United  Provinces  of  Holland  and  their  dependen- 
cies, requesting  to  be  acknowledged  as  such  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  whose  superiority  he  confessed;  and 
promising,  that,  if  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  would 
agree  in  future  not  to  constitute  any  new  Lodge  within 
his  jurisdiction,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Holland  would 


192  ILLUSTRATIONS 

observe  the  same  restriction  with  respect  to  all  parts  of 
the  world  where  Lodges  were  already  established  under 
the  patronage  of  England.  Upon  these  terms,  he  re- 
quested that  a  firm  and  friendly  alliance  might  be  estab- 
lished between  the  Officers  of  both  Grand  Lodges,  an 
annual  correspondence  kept  up,  and  each  Grand  Lodge 
regularly  made  acquainted  once  in  every  year  with  tin- 
most  material  transactions  of  the  other.  On  this  report 
being  made,  the  Grand  Lodge  agreed  that  such  an  alli- 
ance or  compact  should  be  entered  into,  and  executed, 
agreeably  to  Baron  de  Boetzelaer's  request. 

In  1771,  a  bill  was  brought  into  parliament  by  the 
Hon.  Charles  Dillon,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  for  in- 
corporating the  Society  by  act  of  Parliament ;  but,  on 
the  second  reading  of  the  bill,  it  having  been  opposed 
by  Mr.  Onslow,  at  the  desire  of  several  Brethren  who 
had  petitioned  the  House  against  it,  Mr.  Dillon  moved 
to  postpone  the  consideration  of  it,  sine  die;  and  thus 
the  design  of  an  Incorporation  fell  to  the  ground. 

Lord  Petre  succeeded  the  Duke  of  Beaufort  on  the 
4th  of  May,  1772;  when  several  regulations  were  made 
for  better  securing  the  property  belonging  to  the  Socie- 
ty. A  considerable  sum  having  been  subscribed  for  the 
purpose  of  building  a  hall,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  superintend  the  management  of  that  business.  Every 
measure  was  adopted  to  enforce  the  laws  for  raising  a 
new  fund  to  carry  the  designs  of  the  Society  into  execu- 
tion, and  no  pains  were  spared  by  the  committee  to 
complete  the  purpose  of  their  appointment.  By  their 
report  to  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  27th  of  April,  1774,  it 
appeared,  that  they  had  contracted  for  the  purchase  of  a 
plot  of  ground  and  premises,  consisting  of  two  large 
commodious  dwelling-houses  and  a  large  garden,  situated 
in  Great  Queen-street,  Lincoln's-Inn-Fields,  late  in  the 
possession  of  Philip  Carteret  Webb,  Esq.,  deceased,  the 
particulars  of  which  were  specified  in  a  plan  then 
delivered ;  that  the  real  value  appeared  to  be  3205/.  at 
the  least,  but  that  31SOZ.  was  the  sum  contracted  to  be 
paid  for  the  premises ;  that  the  front-house  might  pro- 
duce 90/.  per  annum,  and  the  back-house  would  furnish 
commodious  committee-rooms,  offices,  kitchens,  &c. ;  and 
that  the  garden  was  sufficiently  large  to  contain  a  com- 


OF    MASONRY.  193 

plete  hall  for  the  use  of  the  Society,  the  expense  of 
which  was  calculated  not  to  exceed  3000/.73  This  report 
having  met  with  general  approbation,  Lord  Petre,  the 
Dukes  of  Beaufort  and  Chandos,  Earl  Ferrers,  and  Lord 
Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward,  were  appointed  Trustees 
for  the  Society ;  and  the  conveyance  of  the  premises 
which  had  been  purchased  was  made  out  in  their  names. 
On  the  22nd  of  February,  1775,74  the  hall-committee 
reported  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  a  plan  had  been  pro- 
posed and  approved  for  raising  5000/.  to  complete  the 
designs  of  the  Society,  by  granting  annuities  for  lives, 
with  benefit  of  survivorship ;  a  plan  now  known  under 
the  name  of  Tontine.  It  was  accordingly  resolved, 
That  there  should  be  one  hundred  lives  at  50/.  each ; 
that  the  whole  premises  belonging  to  the  Society  in 

73  Notwithstanding  this  estimate,  it  appears  by  the  Grand  Trea- 
surer's accounts,  that  in  1792  above  20,OOOZ.  had  been  expended  on 
this  building;  and  that,  exclusive  of  an  annuity  of  250£.,  on  account 
of  a  tontine,  there  then  remained  due  from  the  hall-fund  to  sundry 
tradesmen,  a  considerable  debt,  the  greatest  part  of  which  has  since 
been  paid  off.     The  tavern  has  been  rebuilt,  and  enlarged,  within 
these  few  years,  which  has  increased  the  expense  to  30,000£. 

74  "  At  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill,  on  the  17th  of  June,  this  year, 
Masonry  in  America  met  with  a  heavy  loss  in  the  death  of  Grand 
Master  Warren,  who  was  slain  contending  for  the  liberties  of  his 
country.     Soon  after  the  evacuation  of  Boston  by  the  British  army, 
and  previous  to  any  regular  communication,  the  Brethren,  influenced 
by  a  pious  regard  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Grand  Master,  were  in- 
duced to  search  for  his  body,  which  had  been  rudely  and  indiscrimi- 
nately buried  in  the  field  of  slaughter.     They  accordingly  repaired 
to  the  place,  and,  by  direction  of  a  person  who  was  on  the  ground  at 
the  time  of  his  burial,  a  spot  was  found  where  the  earth  had  been 
recently  turned  up.  Upon  removing  the  turf,  and  opening  the  grave, 
which  was  on  the  brow  of  a  hill,  and  adjacent  to  a  small  cluster  of 
sprigs,  the  remains  were  discovered  in  a  mangled  condition,  but  were 
easily  identified  by  means  of  an  artificial  tooth ;  and,  being  decently 
raised,  were  conveyed  to  the  State-house  in  Boston ;   from  whence, 
by  a  large  and  respectable  number  of  Brethren,  with  the  late  grand 
oflicers.   attending  in   procession,   they  were   carried   to  the  stone 
chapel,  where  an  animated  eulogium  was  delivered  by  Brother  Perez 
Morton.     The  body  was  then  deposited  in  the  silent  vault,  without  a 
sculptured  stone  to  mark  the  spot ;  but  as  the  whole  earth  is  the 
sepulchre  of  illustrious  men,  his  fame,  his  glorious  actions,  are  en- 
graven on  the  tablet  of  universal  remembrance,   and  will   survive 
marble  monuments,  or  local  inscriptions."   (Webb's  Monitor.)  I  have 
been  induced  to  insert  an  account  of  this  transaction,  as  it  redounds 
so  much  to  the  honour  and  fraternal  piety  of  our  American  Brethren, 
— EDITOR. 

10 


194  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Great  Queen-street,  with  the  hall  to  be  built  thereon, 
should  be  vested  in  trustees,  as  a  security  to  the  subscri- 
bers, who  should  be  paid  5/.  per  cent,  for  their  money 
advanced,  the  whole  interest  amounting  to  250/.  per 
annum;  that  this  interest  should  be  divided  among  the 
subscribers,  and  the  survivors  or  survivor  of  them ;  and, 
upon  the  death  of  the  last  survivor,  the  whole  to  deter- 
mine for  the  benefit  of  the  Society.  The  Grand  Lodge 
approving  the  plan,  the  subscription  immediately  com- 
menced, and  in  less  than  three  months  it  was  complete ; 
upon  which  the  trustees  of  the  Society  conveyed  the 
estate  to  the  trustees  of  the  Tontine,  in  pursuance  of  a 
resolution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  entered  into  for  that 
purpose. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1775,   the  foundation-stone75  of 
the  new  hall  was  laid  in  solemn  form,76  in  the  presence 


*5  Within  the  foundation-stone  was  deposited  a  plate,  with  the 
following  inscription : 

ANNO  REGNI  GEORGH  TERTII  QUINDECIMO, 
SALUTIS  HUMAN2E  MDCCLXXV.  MENSIS  MAII 

DIE  PRIMO, 
HUNC  PRIMUM  LAPIDEM, 

AUL.SJ  LATOMORUM, 
(ANGLICE,  FREE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS) 

POSUERIT 
HONORATISSIMUS  ROB.  EDV.  DOM.  PETRE,  BABO 

PETRE,  DE  WRITTLE, 
SUMMITS  LATOMORUM  ANGLLE  MAGISTER ; 

ASSIDENTIBUS 

VIRO  ORNATISSIMO  ROWLANDO  HOLT,  ARMI- 
GERO,  SUMMI  MAGISTRI  DEPUTATO  ; 

VIRIS  ORNATISSIMIS 
JOH.  HATCH  ET  HEN.  DAGGE, 

SUMMIS  GUBERNATORIBUS  ; 

PLENOQUE  CORAM  FRATRUM  CONCUBSU ; 

QUO  ETIAM  TEMPORE  REGUM,  PRINCIPUMQUE 

VIRORUM  FAVORE, 
STUDIOQUE  SUSTENTATUM — MAXIMOS  PEB 

EUROPAM 
HONORES    OCCUPAVERAT 

NOMEN   LATOMORUM, 
GUI    INSUPER   NOMINI    SUMMUM    ANGLIJE,    CON- 

VENTUM,    PR^IESSE    FECERAT 

UNIVERSA    FRATRUM   PER    ORBEM    MULTITUDO, 
E    COELO    DESCENDIT. 

TNa©I  2EATTON. 
*  For  the  ceremony  observed  on  this  occasion,  see  p.  67,  Ao. 


OF    MASONRY.  196 

of  a  numerous  company  of  the  Brethren.  After  the 
ceremony,  the  company  proceeded  in  carriages  to  Lea- 
therseller's-hall,  where  an  elegant  entertainment  was 
provided  on  the  occasion ;  and  at  this  meeting  the  office 
of  Grand  Chaplain  was  first  instituted. 

The  building  of  the  hall  went  on  so  rapidly,  that  it 
was  finished  in  little  more  than  twelve  months.  On  the 
23d  of  May,  1776,  it  was  opened,  and  dedicated,77  in 
solemn  form,  to  MASONRY,  VIRTUE,  and  UNIVERSAL 
CHARITY  and  BENEVOLENCE,  in  the  presence  of  a  bril- 
liant assembly  of  the  Brethren.  A  new  Ode,78  written 
and  set  to  music  on  the  occasion,  wras  performed,  before 
a  number  of  ladies,  who  honoured  the  Society  with 
their  company  on  that  day.  An  Exordium  on  Masonry, 
not  less  elegant  than  instructive,  was  given  by  the 
Grand  Secretary,  and  an  excellent  oration  delivered  by 
the  Grand  Chaplain.  In  commemoration  of  an  event 
so  pleasing  to  the  Society,  it  was  agreed  that  the  anni- 
versary of  this  ceremony  should  be  ever  after  regularly 
kept. 

Thus  was  completed,  under  the  auspices  of  a  noble- 
man, whose  amiable  character  as  a  man,  and  zeal  as  a 
Mason,  may  be  equalled,  but  cannot  be  surpassed,  that 
elegant  and  highly  finished  room  in  Great  Queen-street, 
in  which  the  annual  assembly  arid  quarterly  Communica- 
tions of  the  Fraternity  are  held;  and  to  the  accomplish- 
ment of  which  many  Lodges,  as  well  as  private  individu- 
als, have  liberally  subscribed.  It  is  to  tre  regretted,  that 
the  finances  of  the  Society  will  not  admit  of  its  being 
solely  reserved  for  masonic  purposes. 

The  hall  is  as  elegant  and  highly  finished  a  room  as 
the  metropolis  can  show.  The  entrance  into  it  is  from 
the  Committee-room,  through  a  small  gallery,  on  the 
right  of  which  is  a  commodious  flight  of  steps  leading 
to  the  under-croft,  or  ground  apartments,  and  on  the  left 
a  small  room  appropriated  for  the  reception  of  wines  on 
grand  festivals:  above  this  is  a  large  music  gallery,  capa- 
ble of  containing  three  hundred  spectators,  exclusive  of 
the  band  of  music,  supported  by  pillars  and  pilasters  of 
the  Composite  order.  The  length  of  this  building  within 

77  For  the  ceremony  of  dedication,  see  p.  69. 

78  See  Ode  II.,  toward  the  end  of  the  volume. 


196  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  walls  is  92  feet ;  it  is  43  feet  broad,  and  upwards  of 
60  feet  high.  At  the  upper  end  of  the  hall  there  is  a 
place  allotted  for  the  Grand  Officers  and  their  attendants, 
when  the  Grand  Lodge  meets,  which  takes  up  about 
one-fourth  of  the  whole  length,  and  which  is  higher 
than  the  rest  by  two  steps;  at  the  extremity  of  which 
is  a  very  beautiful  alcove  of  a  semicircular  form,  in 
which  is  fixed  a  fine  organ.  On  the  right  and  left  of  this 
elevated  place  are  two  galleries,  supported  by  beautiful 
fluted  pillars  of  the  Corinthian  order,  either  for  music, 
or  to  admit  ladies  to  the  sight  of  such  ceremonies  as  the 
laws  of  the  Society  will  permit.  The  remaining,  part 
of  the  hall  is  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Stewards,  and 
Brethren  in  general,  when  the  Grand  Lodge  assembles. 
The  pilasters  on  each  side  of  the  hall  are  fluted,  and 
otherwise  most  beautifully  decorated.  Between  these 
pilasters  there  are  places  appropriated  for  the  reception 
of  full-length  paintings  of  the  Grand  Masters,  &c.79 
Above  them  are  places  for  such  historical  paintings  as 
have  some  affinity  to  the  royal  art,  or  are  expressive  of 
the  virtues  of  Freemasonry.  A  1  the  other  intermediate 
spaces  are  elegantly  decorated  with  the  most  beautiful 
emblematical,  symbolical,  and  hieroglyphical  figures  and 
representations  of  the  mysteries  of  the  royal  art. 

Round  the  top  of  the  side-walls  runs  a  small  balustrade, 
or  rather  a  kind  of  ornamented  iron  palisades,  capable  of 
holding  a  vast  number  of  spectators;  above  which  a 
number  of  semicircular  windows  are  placed,  so  contrived 
as  to  open  and  shut  with  the  greatest  ease  and  facility, 
to  let  in  fresh  air  as  often  as  may  be  required.  The 
reason  why  the  windows  are  placed  so  high  is,  that  no 
spectators  from  the  adjacent  houses  may  view  the  masonic 
ceremonies. 

The  roof  of  this  magnificent  hall  is,  in  all  probability, 
the  highest  finished  piece  of  workmanship  in  Europe; 
having  gained  universal  applause  from  all  beholders,  and 
has  raised  the  character  of  the  architect  (Richard  Cox) 
beyond  expression.  In  the  centre  of  this  roof  a  most 
splendid  sun  is  represented  in  burnished  gold,  surrounded 

79  Those  at  present  fixed,  are  the  Prince  of  Wales,  the  Earl  of 
Moira,  the  late  Dukes  of  Cumberland  and  Manchester,  the  late  Lord 
Petre,  the  late  Duke  of  Kent,  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  and  the  Duke  of 
Athol. 


OF    MASONRY.  197 

by  the  twelve  signs  of  the  Zodiac,  with  their  respective 
characters;  viz.,  Aries,  T;  Taurus,  b;  Gemini,  IL; 
Cancer,  S;  Leo,  «SL;  Virgo,  n#;  Libra,  =*=;•  Scorpio,  rn, ; 
Sagittarius,  /  ;  Capricorn,  V3 ;  Aquarius,  ^r ;  and  Pis- 
ces, X.80 

Whenever  the  Grand  Lodge  assembles,  this  hall  is 
further  ornamented  with  five  brilliant  and  rich  cut-glass 
chandeliers,  the  most  magnificent  of  which  hangs  above 
that  part  of  the  hall  allotted  to  the  Grand  Officers ;  the 
other  four  are  distributed  in  pairs,  at  equal  distances. 
These  lustres,  with  a  sufficient  number  of  sconces,  in 
which  only  wax  lights  burn,  illuminate  the  hall  with  a 
great  brilliancy.81 

The  Brethren  of  St.  John's  Lodge  in  Newcastle,  ani- 
mated by  the  example  set  them  in  the  metropolis,  opened 
a  subscription  among  themselves  for  the  purpose  of 
building,  in  the  Low  Friar  Chair,  in  that  town,  a  new 
hall  for  their  meetings ;  and,  on  the  23rd  of  September, 
1776,  the  foundation-stone82  of  that  building  was  laid  by 

80  The  Mithratic  cavern  in  Persia,  where  the  Initiations  were  per- 
formed, was  adorned  in  a  similar  manner,  to  represent  the  Mundane 
system';  save  that  the  three  objects  of  their  idolatrous  worship,  the 
Sun,  the  Bull,  and  the  Lion,  were  larger  and  more  conspicuous  than 
the  rest.     (Vide  Hist.  Init.,  Lect.  vi.)     The  emblematic  meaning  of 
the  sun  is  well  known  to  the  enlightened  and  inquisitive  Freemason ; 
and  as  the  real  sun  is  situated  in  the  centre  of  the  universe,  so  is  this 
emblematic  sun  fixed  in  the  centre  of  real  Masonry.     We  all  know 
that  the  sun  is  the  fountain  of  light,  the  source  of  the  seasons,  the 
cause  of  the  vicissitudes  of  day  and  night,  the  parent  of  vegetation, 
and  the  friend  of  man ;  but  the  scientific  Freemason  only  knows  the 
reason  why  the  sun  is  thus  placed  in  the  centre  of  this  beautiful  hall. 

81  The  tavern  is  a  most  commodious  suite  of  rooms;  and,  under  its 
present  conductor,  possesses  that  large  portion  of  the  public  favour  tc 
which  his  civility,  liberality,  diligence,  and  attention,  most  justly 
entitle  him. 

88  Underneath  this  stone  was  placed  a  copper  plate,  with  the  fol- 
fowing  inscription : 

^JDIFICn   HVIVS 
IV   MVTVAM   AMICITIAM    STABILIENDAM 

PRO    SVMMI   NATVR^E   NVMINIS 
ABCHITECTI  REGNATORIS   VENERATIONE 

PRO    VERI   INVESTIGATIONS 
MORVM   SCIENTI^   ARTIVMQ.    BONARVM 

INGENVO   CVLTV 

HVMANI   GENERIS   BENEFICIO 

SOLATIVM   TEMPESTIVVM   PR^EBENDO 

CONVENTVI   FRATKRNO    SACRI 


198  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Mr.  Francis  Peacock,  then  Master  of  the  Lodge.  This 
edifice  was  speedily  completed,  furnished,  and  dedicated ; 
but  we  learn  that  it  has  been  since  sold,  and  appropriated 
to  other  purposes. 

The  flourishing  state  of  the  Society  in  England  at- 
tracting the  attention  of  the  Masons  in  Germany,  they 
solicited  our  friendship  and  alliance.  The  Grand  Lodge 
at  Berlin,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Prince  of  Hesse 
Darmstadt,  requested  a  friendly  union  and  correspondence 
with  their  Brethren  of  England ;  which  was  agreed  to, 
on  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Germany  engaging  to  remit  an 
annual  donation  to  the  fund  of  charity. 

The  business  of  the  Society  having  now  considerably 
increased,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  Grand  Secretary 
should  be  permitted  in  future  to  employ  a  deputy,  or 
assistant,  at  an  annual  salary  proportioned  to  his  labour. 

On  the  14th  of  February,  1776,  the  Grand  Lodge 
resolved,  that  in  future  all  Past  Grand  Officers  should  be 
permitted  to  wear  a  particular  gold  jewel,  the  ground 
enamelled  blue;  and  each  officer  be  distinguished  by  the 
jewel  which  he  wore  while  in  office ;  with  this  difference, 
that  such  honorary  jewel  should  be  fixed  within  a  circle, 
or  oval ;  on  the  borders  of  which  were  to  be  inscribed 
his  name,  and  the  year  in  which  he  served  the  office. 
This  jewel  was  intended  to  be  worn  in  Grand  Lodge, 
pendant  to  a  broad  blue  riband;  and,  on  other  occasions, 
to  be  fixed  to  the  breast  by  a  narrow  blue  riband.83 

Many  regulations  respecting  the  government  of  the 
Fraternity  were  established  during  Lord  Petre's  adminis- 
tration. The  meetings  of  irregular  Masons  again  attract- 
ing notice,  on  the  10th  of  April,  1777,  the  following 
law  was  enacted :  "  That  the  persons  who  assemble  in 
London,  and  elsewhere,  in  the  character  of  Masons, 
calling  themselves  Ancient  Masons,  and  at  present  said  to 

FRANCISCVS   PEACOCK   PREFECT.    HONORAND. 

FVNDAMENTA   POSVIT 

IN   CALEND.    OCTOB. 

AN.    SAL.    HVM.    MDCCLXXVI. 

AN.    CONSORT.    MMMMMDCCLXXVI. 

83  How  far  the  introduction  of  new  ornaments  is  reconcileable  to 
the  original  practices  of  the  Society,  I  will  not  presume  to  determine ; 
but  it  is  the  opinion  of  many  old  Masons,  that  multiplying  honorary 
distinctions  among  Masons  lessens  the  value  and  importance  of  the 
real  jewels  by  which  the  acting  officers  of  the  Lodge  are  distinguished. 


v  OF    MASONRY.  199 

be  under  the  patronage  of  the  Duke  of  Athol,  are  not  to 
be  countenanced  or  acknowledged  by  any  regular  Lodge 
or  Mason  under  the  constitution  of  England :  nor  shall 
any  regular  Mason  be  present  at  any  of  their  conventions, 
to  give  a  sanction  to  their  proceedings,  under  the  penalty 
of  forfeiting  the  privileges  of  the  Society ;  nor  shall  any 
person  initiated  at  any  of  their  irregular  meetings  be 
admitted  into  any  lodge  without  being  re-made.84  That 
this  censure  shall  not  be  extended  to  any  Lodge,  or  Mason 
made,  in  Scotland  or  Ireland,  under  the  constitution  oi 
either  of  these  kingdoms ;  or  to  any  Lodge  or  Mason 
made  abroad,  under  the  patronage  of  any  foreign  Grand 
Lodge  in  alliance  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England ; 
but  that  such  Lodge  and  Masons  shall  be  deemed  regular 
and  constitutional." 

An  Appendix  to  the  Book  of  Constitutions,  containing 
all  the  principal  proceedings  of  the  Society  since  the 
publication  of  the  last  edition,  was  ordered  to  be  printed; 
also  a  new  annual  publication,  entitled  THE  FREEMASON'S 
CALENDAR;  and  the  profits  arising  from  the  sale  of  both 
were  to  be  regularly  brought  to  account  in  the  charity 
fund.  To  preserve  the  consequence  of  the  Society,  the 
following  law  was  also  enacted  at  this  time :  That  the 
fees  for  constitutions,  initiations,  &c.,  be  advanced  ;  that 
no  person  be  initiated  into  Masonry  in  any  Lodge  under 
the  constitution  of  England  for  a  less  sum  than  two 
guineas;85  and  that  the  name,  age,  addition  or  profession, 
and  place  of  residence,  of  every  person  so  initiated,  and 
of  every  admitted  member  of  a  regular  Lodge,  since  the 
29th  of  October,  1768,  be  registered ;  under  the  penalty 
of  such  Mason  made,  or  member  admitted,  being  deprived 
of  the  privileges  of  the  Society. 

The   Masons  in  Sunderland  having  considerably  in- 

84  This  censure  only  extends  to  those  irregular  Lodges  in  London, 
which  seceded  from  the  rest  of  the  Fraternity  in  1738,  and  set  up  an 
independent  government,  in  open  defiance  of  the  established  authority 
of  the  kingdom,  and  the  general  rules   of  the  institution.     See  pp. 
173-175.     It  cannot  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  York  city,  or  any 
Lodges  under  that   truly  ancient   and  respectable  banner;    as   the 
independence  and  regular  proceedings  of  that  assembly  have  been 
fully  admitted  and  authenticated  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  London,  in 
the  Book  of  Constitutions  printed  under  their  sanction  in  1738. 

85  The  usual  charitable  donation  at  initiation  in  many  Lodges  is 
now  seldom  under  five  guineas,  and  more  frequently  double  that  sum. 


200  ILLUSTRATIONS 

creased  during  his  lordship's  administration,  an  elegant 
hall  was  built  in  that  town  for  their  meetings.86  On  the 
16th  of  July,  1778,  this  hall  was  dedicated  in  solemn 
form  before  a  numerous  company  of  Brethren ;  on  which 
occasion  a  very  animated  oration  on  Masonry  was  deliv- 
ered in  the  presence  of  above  120  ladies.  On  the  19th 
of  November,  1782,  this  hall,  was  destroyed  by  fire,  arid 
many  valuable  books  and  papers  were  burnt.  The  zeal 
of  the  brethren,  however,  induced  them  the  following 
year  to  build  another  hall,  named  Phoenix-hall,  of  which 
the  foundation-stone  was  laid  in  great  pomp  on  the  5th 
of  April,  1784;  and  in  the  following  year  it  was  finished, 
and  dedicated  in  solemn  form. 

Lord  Petre  granted  provincial  deputations  for  Madras 
and  Virginia ;  also  for  Hants,  Sussex,  and  Surrey.  During 
his  lordship's  presidency,  some  Lodges  were  erased  from 
the  list  for  nonconformity  to  the  laws,  but  many  new 
ones  were  added ;  so  that,  under  his  banner,  the  Society 
became  truly  respectable. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1777,  Lord  Petre  was  succeeded 
by  the  Duke  of  Manchester ;  during  whose  administration 
the  tranquillity  of  the  Society  was  interrupted  by  some 
private  dissensions.  An  unfortunate  dispute  having  arisen 
among  the  members  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  on  account 
of  some  proceedings  of  the  Brethren  of  that  Lodge  on 
the  festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  after  his  grace's 

86  The  following  directions,  respecting  the  building  of  Lodges,  are 
contained  in  the  book  of  Helvetian  Ceremonies,  already  often  cited, 
and,  I  believe,  are  strictly  attended  to  in  Germany  and  France : 

"The  proper  time  for  beginning  to  build  a  Lodge,  is  from  the  15th 
of  April  to  the  15th  of  May.  Some  think  the  18th  of  April  is  the 
most  masonic  day.  Masons  should  build  their  Lodge  within  a  court 
of  high  walls;  but  that  not  being  easily  acquired,  its  windows  should 
be  high  from  the  ground ;  the  bottoms  of  the  windows  should  not  be 
less  than  five  cubits  high*  measuring  from  the  superficies  of  the  floor 
within.  The  foundation-stone  is  in  the  corner  of  the  Ammonites. 
The  proper  height  of  a  Lodge  is  eighteen  cubits;  the  lengtn  and 
breadth  are  not  determined.  The  hall  is  for  ti  e  great  congregations. 
The  names  of  Lodges  are  sometimes  ill  chosen.  The  Apollo,  the 
Minerva,  the  Vesta,  &c.,  are  heathen  names,  inspiring  ideas  of  idolatry 
and  superstition,  and  can  have  nothing  to  do  with  Masonry.  The 
names  of  great  Masons  of  old  may  be  chosen;  and  the  builders  would 
do  well  to  find  out  what  great  man  or  bishop  built  the  nearest  cathe- 
dral, and  name  the  Lodge  after  him ;  for  this  is  certain,  that  every 
cathedral  was  built  by  the  ancient  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons." — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  201 

election,  the  complaint  was  introduced  into  the  Grand 
Lodge,  where  it  occupied  the  attention  of  every  committee 
and  communication  for  twelve  months.  It  originated 
from  the  Master,  Wardens,  and  some  of  the  members,  in 
consequence  of  a  resolution  of  the  Lodge,  having  attended 
divine  service  at.  St.  Dunstan's  church  in  Fleet  street, 
in  the  clothing  of  the  Order,  and  walked  back  to  the 
Mitre  Tavern  in  their  regalia,  not  having  obtained  a  dis- 
pensation for  the  purpose.  The  Grand  Lodge  determined 
the  measure  to  be  a  violation  of  the  general  regulations 
respecting  public  processions  ;87  and  various  opinions  being 
formed,  several  Brethren  were  highly  dissatisfied. 

Another  circumstance  tended  still  further  to  -widen 
this  breach.  The  Lodge  of  Antiquity  having  expelled 
three  of  its  members  for  misbehaviour,  the  Grand  Lodge 
interfered,  and,  as  was  thought,  without  proper  investi- 
gation, ordered  them  to  be  reinstated.  With  this  order 
the  Lodge  refused  to  comply,  the  members  conceiving 
themselves  competent  and  sole  judges  in  the  choice  of 
their  own  private  members.  The  privileges  of  the  Lodge 
of  Antiquity,88  acting  by  immemorial  constitution,  began 
to  be  set  up,  in  opposition  to  the  supposed  uncontrol- 
lable authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  established  by  them- 
selves in  1717;  and  in  the  investigation  of  this  point, 
the  original  cause  of  the  dispute  was  totally  forgotten. 
Matters  were  now  carried  to  the  extreme  on  both  sides, 
resolutions  precipitately  entered  into,  and  edicts  inad- 
vertently issued;  memorials  and  remonstrances  were 
presented  in  vain,  and  at  last  a  rupture  ensued.  The 
Lodge  of  Antiquity,  on  one  hand,  supported  its  imme- 
morial privileges;  appointed  committees  to  examine 
records ;  applied  to  the  old  Lodge  in  York  city,  and  to 
the  Lodges  in  Scotland  and  Ireland,  for  advice ;  entered 
a  protest  against,  and  peremptorily  refused  to  comply 
with,  the  resolutions  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  discontinued 
the  attendance  of  the  Master  and  Wardens  at  the  com- 
mittees of  charity  and  quarterly  .communications  as  its 
representatives;  published  a  manifesto  in  its  vindication ; 
notified  its  separation  from  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  avowed 

87  For  an  explanation  of  the  nature  of  public  processions  at  funerals, 
,  see  pp.  72-74. 

88  For  an  account  of  this  Lodge  and  its  privileges,  see  pp.  157  to 
164. 

10* 


202  ILLUSTRATIONS 

an  alliance  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  all  England  held  in 
the  city  of  York,  and  every  Lodge  and  Mason  who  wished 
to  act  in  conformity  to  the  original  constitutions.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  on  the  other  hand,  enforced  its  edicts,  and 
extended  protection  to  the  few  Brethren  whose  cause  it 
had  espoused,  by  permitting  them  to  assemble  as  a  regu- 
lar Lodge  without  any  warrant,  under  the  denomination 
of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  itself,  and  suffering  them  to 
appear  by  their  representatives  at  the  Grand  Lodge  as 
the  real  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  from  which  they  had  been 
excluded,  and  which  still  continued  to  act  by  its  own 
immemorial  constitution;  anathemas  were  issued,  and 
several  worthy  Brethren  expelled  the  Society,  for  refus- 
ing to  surrender  the  property  of  the  Lodge  to  persons 
who  had  been  regularly  expelled  from  it;  while  printed 
letters  were  circulated,  with  the  Grand  Treasurer's 
accounts,  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of  the  Society.  This 
produced  a  schism,  which  subsisted  for  the  space  of  ten 
years. 

To  justify  the  proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
following  resolution  of  the  Committee  of  Charity,  held 
in  February,  1779,  was  printed  and  dispersed  among  the 
Lodges : — 

"Resolved,  That  every  private  Lodge  derives  its  authori- 
ty from  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that  no  authority  but  the 
Grand  Lodge  can  withdraw  or  take  away  that  power. 
That  though  the  majority  of  a  Lodge  may  determine  to 
quit  the  Society,  the  constitution,  or  power  of  assembling, 
remains  with,  and  is  vested  in,  the  rest  of  the  members 
who  may  be  desirous  of  continuing  their  allegiance;  and 
that  if  all  the  members  withdraw  themselves,  the  con- 
stitution is  extinct,  and  the  authority  reverts  to  the  Grand 
Lodge." 

This  resolution,  it  was  argued,  might  operate  with 
respect  to  any  Lodge  which  derived  its  constitution  from 
the  Grand  Lodge,  but  could  not  apply  to  one  which 
derived  its  authority  from  another  channel,  long  before 
the  establishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  which 
authority  had  never  been  superseded,  but  repeatedly 
admitted  arid  acknowledged.  Had  it  appeared  upon 
record,  that,  after  the  establishment  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
this  original  authority  had  been  surrendered,  forfeited, 
or  exchanged  for  a  warrant  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 


OF    MASONRXe>         &/  /      203 

Lodge  of  Antiquity  must  have  admitted  the  resolution 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  its  full  force ;  but  as  no  such 
circumstance  appeared  on  record,  the  members  of  the 
Lodge  of  Antiquity  were  justified  in  considering  their 
immemorial  constitution  sacred,  while  they  chose  to  exist 
as  a  Lodge,  and  act  in  obedience  to  the  ancient  consti- 
tutions. 

Considering  the  subject  in  this  point  of  view,  it  evi- 
dently appears,  that  the  resolutions  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
could  have  no  effect  on  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  after  the 
publication  of  the  manifesto  which  avowed  its  separation ; 
nor  while  the  members  of  that  Lodge  continued  to  meet 
regularly  as  heretofore,  and  to  promote  the  laudable 
purposes  of  Masonry  on  their  old  independent  foundation. 
The  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  it  was  asserted,  could  not  be 
dissolved  while  the  majority  of  its  members  kept  together, 
and  acted  in  conformity  to  the  original  constitutions; 
and  no  edict  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  its  committees,  could 
deprive  the  members  of  that  Lodge  of  a  right  which  had 
been  admitted  to  be  vested  in  themselves,  collectively, 
from  time  immemorial,  a  right  which  had  not  been 
derived  from,  or  ever  ceded  to,  any  Grand  Lodge  what- 
ever. 

To  understand  more  clearly  the  nature  of  that  consti- 
tution by  which  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  is  upheld,  we 
must  have  recourse  to  the  usages  and  customs  which 
prevailed  among  Masons  at  the  end  of  the  17th  and 
beginning  of  the  18th  century.  The  Fraternity  then 
had  a  discretionary  power  to  meet  as  Masons,  in  certain 
numbers,  according  to  their  degrees,  with  the  approba- 
tion of  the  master  of  the  work  where  any  public  build- 
ing was  carrying  on,  as  often  as  they  found  it  necessary 
so  to  do ;  and  when  so  met,  to  receive  into  the  Order 
brothers  and  fellows,  and  practice  the  rights  of  Masonry 
The  idea  of  investing  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges  in 
Grand  Lodge  assembled,  or  the  Grand  Master  himself, 
with  a  power  to  grant  warrants  of  constitution  to  certain 
Brethren  to  meet  as  Masons  at  certain  houses,  on  the 
observance  of  certain  conditions,  had  then  no  existence. 
The  Fraternity  were  under  no  such  restrictions.  The 
Ancient  Charges  were  the  only  standard  for  the  regula- 
tion of  conduct,  and  no  law  was  known  in  the  Society 
which  those  charges  did  not  inculcate.  To  the  award 


204  ILLUSTRATIONS 

of  the  Fraternity  at  large,  in  general  meeting  assembled, 
once  or  twice  in  a  year,  all  Brethren  were  subject,  and 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Master  never  extended  beyond 
the  bounds  of  that  general  meeting.  Every  private 
assembly,  or  Lodge,  was  under  the  direction  of  its  parti- 
cular Master,  chosen  for  the  occasion,  whose  authority 
terminated  with  the  meeting.  When  a  Lodge  was  fixed 
at  any  particular  place  for  a  certain  time,  an  attestation 
from  the  Brethren  present,  entered  on  record,  was  a  suffi- 
cient proof  of  its  regular  constitution  ;  and  this  practice 
prevailed  for  many  years  after  the  revival  of  Masonry  in 
the  south  of  England.  By  this  authority,  which  never 
proceeded  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  unfettered  by  any  other 
restrictions  than  the  constitutions  of  Masonry,  the  Lodge 
of  Antiquity  has  always  acted,  and  still  continues  to  act. 

Whilst  I  have  endeavoured  to  explain  the  subject  of 
this  unfortunate  dispute,  I  rejoice  in  the  opportunity 
which  the  proceedings  of  the  grand  feast  in  1790  afforded 
of  promoting  harmony,  by  restoring  to  the  privileges  of 
the  Society  all  the  Brethren  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity 
who  had  been  falsely  accused  and  expelled  in  1779.  By 
the  operation  of  our  professed  principles,  and  through 
the  mediation  of  a  true  friend  to  genuine  Masonry,  the 
late  William  Birch,  Esq.,  Past  Master  of  the  Lodge  of 
Antiquity,  unanimity  was  happily  restored  ;  the  manifesto 
published  by  that  Lodge  in  1779  revoked  ;  and  the  Master 
and  Wardens  of  that  truly  ancient  association  resumed  their 
seats  in  Grand  Lodge  as  heretofore;  while  the  Brethren, 
who  had  received  the  sanction  of  the  Society  as  nominal 
members  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  during  the  separation, 
were  re-united  with  the  original  members  of  the  real 
Lodge,  and  the  privileges  of  that  venerable  body  limited 
to  their  original  channel. 

Although  I  have  considerably  abridged  my  observa- 
tions on  this  unfortunate  dispute  in  the  latter  editions 
of  this  treatise,  I  still  think  it  proper  to  record  my  senti- 
ments on  the  subject,  in  justice  to  the  gentlemen  with 
whom  I  have  long  associated ;  and  to  convince  my  Breth- 
ren, that  our  re-union  wUh  the  Society  has  not  induced 
me  to  vary  a  well-grounded  opinion,  or  deviate  from  the 
strict  line  of  consistency  which  I  have  hitherto  pursued. 


OF    MASONRY.  206 


SECT.  XL 

History  of  the  most  remarkable  Events  in  the  Society  from 
1779  to  1791  inclusive. 

AMID  these  disagreeable  altercations,  intelligence  ar- 
'rived  of  the  rapid  progress  of  the  Society  in  India,  and 
that  many  new  Lodges  had  been  constituted,  which  were 
amply  supported  by  the  first  characters  in  the  East. 
Omdit-ul-Omrah  Bahauder,  eldest  son  of  the  nabob  of 
the  Carnatic,  had  been  initiated  into  Masonry  in  the 
Lodge  at  Trichinopoly,  near  Madras ;  and  had  expressed 
the  highest  veneration  for  the  institution.  This  news 
having  been  transmitted  to  England  officially,  the  Grand 
Lodge  determined  to  sent  a  congratulatory  letter  to  his 
highness  on  the  occasion,  accompanied  with  a  blue  apron, 
elegantly  decorated,  and  a  copy  of  the  Book  of  Consti- 
tutions, superbly  bound.  To  Sir  John  Day,  Advocate- 
general  of  Bengal,  the  execution  of  this  commission 
was  entrusted.89  In  the  beginning  of  1780,  an  answer 
was  received  from  his  highness,  acknowledging  the 
receipt  of  the  present,  and  expressing  the  warmest 
attachment  and  benevolence  to  his  Brethren  in  England. 
This  letter,  which  is  written  in  the  Persian  language, 
was  inclosed  in  an  elegant  cover  of  cloth  of  gold,  and 
addressed  To  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Lodge  oj 
England. 

This  flattering  mark  of  attention,  from  so  distinguished 
a  personage  abroad,  was  peculiarly  grateful  to  the  Grand 
Lodge :  who  immediately  resolved,  that  an  answer  should 
be  prepared  and  transmitted  to  his  highness,  expressing 
the  high  opinion  which  the  Brethren  in  England  enter- 
tained of  his  merits,  and  requesting  the  continuance  of 
his  friendship  and  protection  to  the  masonic  institutions 
in  the  East.  The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  voted 
to  Sir  John  Day;  and  a  translation  of  his  highness's 

89  At  the  grand  feast  in  1792,  Sir  John  was  honoured  with  a  blue 
apron  and  the  rank  of  a  Grand  officer,  as  a  compliment  for  his  meri- 
torious services  on  this  occasion. 


206  ILLUSTRATIONS 

letter90  was  ordered  to  be  copied  on  vellum,  and,  with 
the  original,  elegantly  framed  and  glazed,  hung  up  in 
the  hall  at  every  public  meeting  of  the  Society.  The 
first  testimony  which  Omdit-ul-Omrah  gave  of  his  regard 
to  the  institution,  was  by  the  initiation  of  his  brother 
Omur-ul-Omrah,  who  seems  to  be  equally  active  with 
himself  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  Society. 

90  As  this  letter  is  replete  with  genuine  good  sense  and  warm 
benevolence,  we  shall  here  insert  the  translation  for  the  gratification 
of  our  Brethren: 

u  To  the  right  worshipful  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Manchester,  Grand 
Master  of  the  illustrious  and  benevolent  Society  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  under  the  constitution  of  England,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge  thereof. 

"Much  honoured  SIR  and  BRETHREN, 

"An  early  knowledge  and  participation  of  the  benefits  arising  to  our 
house,  from  its  intimate  union  of  councils  and  interests  with  the 
British  nation,  and  a  deep  veneration  for  the  laws,  constitution,  and 
manners  of  the  latter,  have,  for  many  years  of  my  life,  led  me  to 
seize  every  opportunity  of  drawing  the  ties  between  us  still  closer 
and  closer. 

''By  the  accounts  which  have  reached  me,  of  the  principles  and 
practices  of  your  Fraternity,  nothing  can  be  more  pleasing  to  the 
sovereign  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  whom  we  all,  though  in  different 
ways,  adore,  or  more  honourable  to  his  creatures ;  for  they  stand  upon 
the  broad  basis  of  indiscriminate  and  universal  benevolence. 

"  Under  this  conviction,  I  had  long  wished  to  be  admitted  of  your 
Fraternity ;  and  now  that  I  am  initiated,  I  consider  the  title  of  an 
English  Mason  as  one  of  the  most  honourable  that  I  possess ;  for  it 
is  at  once  a  cement  of  the  friendship  between  your  nation  and  me, 
the  friend  of  mankind. 

"I  have  received  from  the  advocate-general  of  Bengal,  Sir  John 
Day.  the  very  acceptable  mark  of  attention  and  esteem  with  which 
you  have  favoured  me  ;  it  has  been  presented  with  every  circumstance 
of  deference  and  respect  that  the  situation  of  things  here,  and  the 
temper  of  the  times,  would  admit  of;  and  I  do  assure  your  grace,  and 
the  brethren  at  large,  that  he  has  done  ample  justice  to  the  commission 
you  have  confided  to  him,  and  has  executed  it  in  such  manner  as  to 
do  honour  to  himself  and  me. 

"I  shall  avail  myself  of  a  proper  opportunity,  to  convince  your 
grace,  and  the  rest  of  the  Brethren,  that  Omdit-ul-Omrah  is  not  an 
unfeeling  Brother,  or  heedless  of  the  precepts  he  has  imbibed ;  and 
that,  while  he  testifies  his  love  and  esteem  for  his  Brethren,  by 
strengthening  the  bonds  of  humanity,  he  means  to  minister  to  the 
wants  of  the  distressed. 

"  May  the  common  Father  of  All,  the  one  Omnipotent  and  merciful 
God.  take  you  into  his  holy  keeping,  and  give  you  health,  peace,  and 
tength  of  years,  prays  your  higly  honoured  and  affectionate  brother. 

"  OMDIT-UL-OMRAH  BAHAUDER." 


OF    MASONRY.  207 

Another  event  has  also  taken  place  at  Madras,  which 
must  be  very  satisfactory  to  the  Brethren  of  England. 
The  divisions  and  secessions  which  originated  in  London 
in  1738,  having  unfortunately  reached  India,  by  the  inter- 
vention of  Brigadier-General  Home,  who  had  been 
appointed  by  patent  from  the  Duke  of  Cumberland, 
Provincial  Grand  Master  on  the  coast  of  Coromandel,  an 
union  of  the  Brethren  in  that  part  of  the  world  has  been 
effected  ;  and  the  Lodge,  No.  152,  styling  themselves 
Ancient  York  Masons,  has  joined  a  regular  Lodge  under 
his  auspices,  and  voluntarily  surrendered  the  irregular 
warrant  under  which  they  had  formerly  acted.  This 
desirable  object  being  accomplished,  and  the  wishes  of 
the  Brethren  fulfilled,  the  General  requested  their  assist- 
ance to  form  a  Grand  Lodge  ;  when  the  following  officers 
were  appointed  and  installed  in  due  form : 

Brigadier-Gen.  HORNE,  Prov.  Grand  Master. 
Ter.  Gahagan,  Esq.,  Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Jos.  Du  Pre  Porcher,  Esq.,  Acting  Grand  Master. 
Lieut.-Col.  Ross,  Grand  Architect. 
Lieut.-Col.  J.  Campbell,  Sen.,  Grand  Warden. 

Hamilton,  Esq.,  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

James  Grierson,  -Esq.,  Grand  Secretary. 
James  Amos,  Esq.,  Grand  Treasurer. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Moorhouse  and  Colonel  L.  Lucas, 

Esqrs.,  Grand  Stewards. 
Major  Maule,  Grand  Orator. 
Charles  Bromley,  Esq.,  Grand  Sword-Bearer. 

The  Grand  Lodge  having  been  regularly  established,  a 
proposal  was  made  that  a  new  Lodge  should  be  formed 
at  Madras,  under  the  name  of  Perfect  Unanimity,  No.  1. 
This  was  unanimously  agreed  to;  and  the  Provincial 
Grand  Master,  giving  notice  that  he  should  perform  the 
ceremony  of  consecration  on  Saturday,  the  7th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1787,  in  commemoration  of  the  union  which  had 
been  so  amicably  formed  that  day,  requested  the  proper 
officers  to  attend  on  the  occasion.  Accordingly,  on  the 
morning  of  the  day  appointed,  upwards  of  fifty  Brethren 
assembled  at  the  house  on  Choultry  Plain,  in  which  the 
public  rooms  were  held,  and  at  half-past  eleven  o'clock 
the  ceremony  commenced.  After  the  preparatory  busi- 
ness had  been  gone  through  in  Grand  Lodge,  a  proces- 


208  ILLUSTRATIONS 

sion91  was  formed,  and  marched  three  times  round  the 
Lodge ;  after  which  the  business  of  consecration  com- 
menced, and  was  completed  in  a  manner  suitable  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion.  Several  old  Masons,  who 
were  present,  declared  that  they  never  saw  a  ceremony 
conducted  with  more  dignity  and  propriety. 

The  following  Brethren  were  then  installed  officers  of 
this  new  Lodge,  viz. :  Colly  Lyons  Lucas,  Esq.,  Master ; 
Pullier  Spencer,  Esq.,  Senior  Warden  ;  George  Robert 
Latham,  Esq.,  Junior  Warden  ;  John  Robins,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer ;  George  Maule,  Esq.,  Secretary. 

At  two  o'clock  the  Brethren  sat  down  to  an  excellent 

91  Here  follows  the  ORDER  of  the  PROCESSION  : 
Two  Tylers,  with  drawn  swords. 

Music. 
Brothers  Elphinstone  and  Moorhousc,  Grand  Stewards,  with  white 

wands. 

Brother  Gillespie,  as  youngest  apprentice,  carrying  the  rough  stone. 

Apprentices,  two  and  two. 

Fellow-crafts,  two  and  two. 

Master-masons,  two  and  two. 

Brothers  Latham  and  llobson,  as  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 

new  Lodge. 
PAST-MASTER. 

Brother  Taner,  carrying  a  silver  pifcher  with  corn. 
Brothers  Gomond  and  Goree,  carrying  pitchers  containing  wine  and 

oil. 
Brothers  Home  and  Horsimau,  carrying  two  great  lights. 

CHORISTERS. 

Brother  Ross,  Grand  Architect,  carrying  the  polished  stone. 
Brother  Donaldson  (36th  regiment),  as  Grand  Sword-bearer, 

carrying  the  sword  of  state. 

Brother  Grierson.  Grand  Secretary,  with  his  bag. 
Brother  Amos,  Grand  Treasurer,  with  his  staff. 
The  LODGE  covered  with  white  satin,  carried  by  four  Tylers. 
The  worshipful  Brother  LUCAS,  as  master  of  the  new  Lodge,  carry- 
ing the  Bible,  compasses,  and  square,  on  a  crimson  velvet 
cushion,  supported  by  Brothers  Dalrymple  and  Chase, 

Assistant  Stewards. 
Brother  Sir  George  Keith,  carrying  the  silver  censer. 

Brother  Maule,  Grand  Orator. 

Third  great  light,  carried  by  Brother  Gregory. 

Brothers  Campbell  and  Hamilton,  Senior  and  Junior  Grand. 

Wardens,  with  their  columns  and  truncheons. 

Brother  Porcher,  Acting  Grand  Master. 

Brother  Sadlier.  as  Chief  Magistrate. 

Brother  Sir  Henry  Cosby,  carrying  the  Book  of  Constitutions. 

Brigadier- General  HORNE,  Provincial  Gjand  Master,  supported  by 

Brothers  Howley  and  Harris,  Assistant  Stewards. 


OF    MASONRY.  209 

dinner,  which  had  been  provided  by  the  Grand  Lodge  ; 
and  many  masonic  and  loyal  toasts  being  drunk,  the  day 
was  concluded  with  that  pleasing  festivity,  harmony, 
and  good  fellowship,  which  has  always  distinguished 
the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. 

We  shall  now  return  to  the  history  of  Masonry  in 
England ;  and  recite  the  particulars  which  are  most 
deserving  attention. 

During  the  presidency  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester, 
new  Lodges  were  constituted  in  different  parts  of  Eng- 
land, and  considerable  additions  made  to  the  general 
funds  of  the  Society.  The  sums  voted  to  distressed 
Brethren  far  exceeded  those  of  any  former  period ;  arid 
among  other  instances  of  liberality,  may  be  specified  a 
generous  contribution  of  one  hundred  pounds,  which  was 
voted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  towards  the  relief  of  our 
Brethren  in  America,  who  had  suffered  great  losses  in 
consequence  of  the  rebellion  there,  and  whose  situation 
was  very  feelingly  described  in  a  letter  from  the  Lodge 
No.  1,  at  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia. 

A  singular  proposition  was  made  in  Grand  Lodge  on 
the  8th  of  April,  1778,  that  the  Grand  Master  and  his 
officers  should  be  distinguished  in  future  at  all  public 
meetings  by  robes,  to  be  provided  at  their  own  expense ; 
and  that  Past  Grand  Officers  should  have  the  same  privi- 
lege. This  measure  at  first  was  favorably  received  ;  but, 
on  further  investigation  in  the  Hall  Committee,  to  which 
it  was  referred,  it  was  found  to  be  so  diametrically  op- 
posite to  the  original  plan  of  the  Institution,  that  it  was 
very  properly  laid  aside. 

The  finances  of  the  Society  occupied  great  part  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  Committees  and  Communications 
during  his  grace's  administration.  The  debts  due  on 
account  of  the  hall  appearing  to  be  very  considerable,  it 
was  determined  to  make  an  application  to  the  "Lodges  to 
raise  2000Z.  to  pay  them  off.  For  this  purpose,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  plan  offered  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  June,  1779,  it  was  resolved,  that  a  sub- 
scription .should  be  opened,  to  raise  the  money  by  loan, 
without  interest,  at  the  discretion  of  the  subscribers  ; 
that  251.  should  be  the  sum  limited  for  each  subscriber, 
and  the  number  of  subscribers  to  be  one  hundred  :  and 
that  the  monies  so  subscribed  should  be  repaid,  in  equal 


210  ILLUSTRATIONS 

proportions,  among  the  subscribers,  at  such  times  as  the 
hall-fund  would  admit.'  It  was' also  determined,  that  an 
honorary  medal  should  be  presented  to  every  subscriber, 
as  a  mark  of  respect,  on  account  of  the  service  which 
he  had  rendered  the  Society ;  and  that  the  bearer  of 
Buch  medal,  if  a  Master  Mason,  should  have  the  privilege 
of  being  present  at,  and  voting  in,  all  the  future  meet- 
ings of  the  Grand  Lodge.  This  -mark  of  attention 
prompted  some  Lodges,  as  well  as  individuals,  to  con- 
tribute ;  and  the  greater  part  of  the  money  was  speedily 
raised,  and  applied  to  the  purpose  intended. 

The  Stewards'  Lodge,  finding  their  finances  much  re- 
duced by  several  members  having  withdrawn  their  annual 
subscriptions,  applied  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  relief; 
upon  which  it  was  resolved,  that  in  future  no  Grand 
Officer  should  be  appointed,  who  was  not  at  the  time  a 
subscribing  member  of  the  Stewards'  Lodge. 

A  measure,  however,  of  more  importance,  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  Society  at  this  period.  It  had  been 
observed  with  regret,  that  a  number  of  worthy  Brethren 
in  distress  had  been  subjected  to  much  inconvenience 
and  disappointment  from  want  of  relief  during  the  long 
summer  recess  ;  as  there  was  seldom  any  Committee  of 
Charity  held  from  the  beginning  of  April  to  the  end  of 
October.  To  remedy  this  complaint,  the  Grand  Lodge 
unanimously  resolved,  that  an  Extraordinary  Committee 
should  meet  annually  in  the  last  week  of  July,  or  first 
week  of  August,  to  administer  temporary  relief  to  such 
distressed  objects  as  might  regularly  apply,  not  exceeding 
five  pounds  tor  one  person. 

The  business  of  the  Society  having  of  late  very  con- 
siderably increased,  the  Grand  Lodge  was  induced  to  ap- 
point, pro  tempore,  an  assistant  to  the  Grand  Secretary, 
to  hold  equal  rank  and  power  with  himself  in  the  Grand 
Lodge.  Among  many  regulations  which  were  now  estab- 
lished, it  was  determined,  that  in  future  no  person  should 
hold  two  offices  at  the  same  time  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Germany  having  applied  for 
leave  to  send  a  representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England,  in  order  more  effectually  to  cement  the  union 
and  friendship  of  the  Brethren  of  both  countries,  Brother 
John  Leonahrdi  was  appointed  to  that  office.  The  re- 
quest being  complied  with,  a  resolution  passed,  that,  in 


OF   MASONRY.  211 

compliment  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Germany,  Brother 
Leonahrdi  should  wear  the  clothing  of  a  Grand  Officer, 
and  rank  next  to  Past  Grand  Officers  in  all  the  public 
meetings  of  the  Society. 

This  additional  cement  was  highly  pleasing ;  and  led 
the  Brethren  to  regret,  that  no  intercourse  or  correspond- 
ence should  have  subsisted  nearer  home,  between  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  and  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scot- 
land and  Ireland,  though  all  the  members  were  now 
subjects  of  the  same  sovereign,  and  happily  united  in  the 
encouragement  of  the  Art.  At  the  Communication  in 
April,  1782,  this  important  business  coming  under  con- 
sideration, after  a  variety  of  opinions  had  been  delivered, 
it  was  unanimously  resolved,  that  the  Grand  Master 
should  be  requested  to  adopt  such  means  as  his  wisdom 
might  suggest,  to  promote  a  good  understanding  among 
the  Brethren  of  the  three  united  kingdoms.  Notwith- 
standing this  resolution,  the  wished-for  union  was  not 
then  fully  accomplished. 

At  this  meeting  also,  the  pleasing  intelligence  was 
communicated,  that  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  intended 
to  accept  the  government  of  the  Society.  This  having 
been  regularly  stated  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  his  Royal 
Highness  was  proposed  as  Grand  Master  elect ;  and,  in 
compliment  to  him,  it  was  resolved,  that  he  should  have 
the  privilege  of  nominating  a  peer  of  the  realm  as  Acting 
Grand  Master,  who  should  be  empowered  to  superintend 
the  Society  in  his  absence  ;  and  that  at  any  future  period, 
when  the  Fraternity  might  be  honoured  with  a  Prince 
of  the  blood  at  their  head,  the  same  privilege  should  be 
granted. 

At  the  annual  grand  feast  on  the  1st  of  May,  1782,  the 
Duke  of  Cumberland  was  unanimously  elected  Grand 
Master;  and  it  being  signified  to  the  Society,  that  his 
Royal  Highness  meant  to  appoint  the  Earl  of  Effingham 
Acting  Grand  Master,  the  appointment  was  confirmed, 
and  his  Lordship  presided  as  proxy  for  his  Royal  High- 
ness during  the  feast. 

On  the  8th  of  January,  3  783,  a  motion  was  made  in 
Grand  Lodge,  arid  afterwards  confirmed,  that  the  interest 
of  five  per  cent,  on  1000/.,  which  had  been  advanced  for 
the  purposes  of  the  hall  from  the  charity  fund,  should 
cease  to  be  paid ;  and  further,  that  the  principal  should 


212  ILLUSTRATIONS 

be  annihilated,  and  sunk  into  the  hall-fund.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  resolution,  the  money  was  regularly 
brought  to  account  in  the  hall  expenditures.  Many 
other  regulations  were  confirmed  at  this  meeting,  to 
render  the  hall-fund  more  productive,  and  to  enforce 
obedience  to  the  laws  respecting  it.92  How  far  some  of 
these  regulations  are  consistent  with  the  original  plan  of 
the  institution,  must  be  left  to  abler  judges  to  determine: 
but  it  is  certain  that,  in  earlier  periods  of  our  history, 
such  compulsory  regulations  were  unnecessary. 

*  The  regulations  established  at  this  meeting  were  as  follows: 

1.  That  no  Brother,  initiated  since   October  29,   1768,  shall   be 
appointed  to  the  honour  of  wearing  a  blue  or  red  apron,  unless  the 
Grand  Secretary  certifies  that  his  name  has  been  registered,  and  the 
fees  paid. 

2.  That  no  Brother,  initiated  since  that  time,  shall  be  appointed 
Master  or  Warden  of  a  Lodge,  or  be  permitted  to  attend  any  Com- 
mittee of  Charity,  or  Grand  Lodge,  unless  his  name  has  been  regis- 
tered, and  the  fees  paid. 

3.  That  every  petitioner  for  charity,  initiated  since  that  time,  shall 
set  forth  in  his  petition  the  Lodge  in  which,  and  the  time  when,  he 
was  made  a  Mason:  in  order  that  the  Grand  Secretary  may  certify 
by  indorsement  on  the  back  of  the  petition,  whether  his  name  has 
been  registered,  and  the  fees  paid. 

4.  That  every  Lodge  shall  transmit  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  on  or 
before  the  grand  feast  in  every  year,  a  list  of  all  persons  initiated,  or 
members  admitted,  together  with  the  registering  fees ;  or  notice  that 
they  have  not  initiated  or  admitted  any,  that  their  silence  may  not  be 
imputed  to  contempt. 

5.  That,  to  prevent  the  plea  of  ignorance  or  forgetfulness.  a  blank 
form  shall  be  printed,  and  sent  to  each  Lodge,  to  be  filled  up,  and 
returned  to  the  Grand  Secretary. 

6.  That  the  Grand  Secretary  shall  lay  before  the  first  quarterly 
Communication  after  each  grand  feast,  an  account  of  such  Lodges  as 
have  not  registered  their  members  within  the  preceding  year,  that 
they  may  be  erased  from  the  list  of  Lodges,  or  be  otherwise  dealt  with 
as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  think  expedient. 

7.  That,  to  prevent  any  injury  to  individuals,  by  being  excluded 
from  the  privileges  of  the  Society  through  the  neglect  of  their  Lodges, 
in  their  names  not  having  been  duly  registered,  any  Brethren,  on 
producing  sufficient  proofs  that  they  have  paid  the  due  registering 
fees  to  their  Lodges,  shall  be  capable  of  enjoying  all  the  privileges  of 
the  Society ;  but  the  offending  Lodges  shall  be  rigorously  proceeded 
against,  for  detaining  fees  that  are  the  property  of  the  Society. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  1788,  an  additional  regulation  was  made, 
;'That  ten  shillings  and  sixpence  be  paid  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
registering  the  name  of  every  Mason  initiated  in  any  Lodge  under 
the  constitution  after  the  5th  of  May,  1788/'  And  at  this  meeting 
another  resolution  passed,  "  That  no  Lodge  should  be  permitted  to 
attend  or  vote  in  Grand  Lodge,  which  had  not  complied  with  this 
regulation." 


OF    MASONRY.  218 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  held  on  the  23d  of  November, 
1783,  an  addition  was  made  to  the  Grand  Officers,  by 
the  appointment  of  a  Grand  Portrait  Painter;  and,  at 
the  request  of  the  Duke  of  Manchester,  that  honour  was 
conferred  on  the  Rev.  William  Peters,  in  testimony  of 
the  services  which  he  had  rendered  to  the  Society,  by 
his  elegant  present  of  the  portrait  of  Lord  Petre. 

During  the  remainder  of  this  year,  there  was  scarcely 
any  further  business  of  importance  transacted.  On  the 
19th  of  November,  information  was  given  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  that  two  Brethren,  under  sanction  of  the  Royal 
Military  Lodge  at  Woolwich,  which  claimed  the  privi- 
lege of  an  itinerant  Lodge,  had  lately  held  an  irregular 
meeting  in  the  King's  Bench  prison,  and  had  there 
unwarrantably  initiated  sundry  persons  into  Masonry. 
The  Grand  Lodge,  conceiving  this  to  be  an  infringement 
on  the  privileges  of  every  regular  constituted  Lodge, 
ordered  the  said  Lodge  to  be  erased  from  the  list ;  and 
determined,  that  it  was  inconsistent  with  the  principles 
of  Masonry  to  hold  any  Lodge,  for  the  purposes  of  mak- 
ing, passing,  or  raising  Masons,  in  any  prison,  or  place 
of  confinement. 

At  this  Grand  Lodge  also,  it  was  resolved,  to  enact 
certain  regulations,  subjecting  the  Deputy  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Wardens  to  fines,  in  case  of  non-attendance 
on  the  public  meetings  of  the  Society :  and  these  regu- 
lations were  confirmed  in  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  llth  of 
February  following. 

While  these  proceedings  were  carrying  on  in  England, 
the  Brethren  in  Scotland  were  prosecuting  their  labours 
with  equal  zeal  for  the  good  of  the  Craft.  The  great 
improvements  made  in  the  city  of  Edinburgh  afforded 
ample  room  for  ingenious  architects  to  display  their 
masonic  talents  and  abilities;  and  in  that  city  the  ope- 
rative part  of  the  Fraternity  were  fully  occupied,  in 
rearing  stately  mansions,  and  planning  elegant  squares. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  1785,  a  very  pleasing  sight  was 
exhibited  to  every  well-wisher  to  the  embellishment  of 
Edinburgh,  in  the  ceremony  of  laying  the  foundation- 
stone  of  the  South  Bridge,  being  the  first  step  to  further 
improvement.  In  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  Right 
Hon.  the  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates,  attended  by  the 
Grand  Master  Mason  of  Scotland,  and  a  number  of 
nobility  arid  gentry,  with  the  Masters,  Office-bearers, 


214  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  Brethren  of  the  Several  Lodges,  walked  from  the  Par- 
liament-house to  the  bridge  in  procession.93  The  streets 
were  lined  by  the  58th  regiment,  and  the  city  guard. 

Lord  Haddo,  Grand  Master,  having  arrived  at  the 
place,  laid  the  foundation-stone  with  the  usual  solemni- 
ties. His  lordship  standing  on  the  east,  with  the  Sub- 
stitute on  his  right  hand,  and  the  Grand  Wardens  on  the 
west,  the  square,  the  plumb,  the  level,  and  the  mallet, 
were  successfully  delivered  by  an  Operative  Mason  to 
the  Substitute,  and  by  him  to  the  Grand  Master,  who 
applied  the  square  to  that  part  of  the  stone  which  was 
square,  the  plumb  to  the  several  edges,  the  level  above 
the  stone  in  several  positions,  and  then  with  the  mallet 
gave  three  knocks,  saying,  "  May  the  Grand  Architect 
of  the  Universe  grant  a  blessing  on  this  foundation-stone, 
which  we  have  now  laid ;  and  by  his  providence  enable 
us  to  finish  this,  and  every  other  work  which  may  be 
undertaken  for  the  embellishment  and  advantage  of  this 
city!"  On  this  the  Brethren  gave  the  honours. 

The  cornucopia  and  two  silver  vessels  were  then 
brought  from  the  table,  and  delivered,  the  cornucopia  to 
the  Substitute,  and  two  vessels  to  the  Wardens,  which 
were  successively  presented  to  the  Grand  Master,  who, 
according  to  ancient  form,  scattered  the  corn,  and  poured 
the  wine  and  oil  which  they  contained,  on  the  stone, 
saying,  "May  the  All-bounteous  Author  of  Nature  bless 
this  city  with  an  abundance  of  corn,  wine,  and  oil ;  and 
with  all  the  necessaries,  conveniences,  and  comforts  of 
life!  and  may  the  same  Almighty  Power  preserve  this 
city  from  ruin  and  decay  to  the  latest  posterity !" 

93  The  following  Order  of  Procession  was  observed  : 

The  proper  Officers,  bearing  the  city  insignia. 

The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates. 

Band  of  instrumental  music. 

A  band  of  singers. 
The  Lodges  according  to  seniority,  Brethren  walking  three 

and  three. 

Lodge  of  Grand  Stewards. 

Nobility  and  Gentry,  three  and  three. 

Office-bearers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  their  badges  of  Office. 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  with  insignia. 

Grand  Wardens. 

Deputy  I  ttRANn  MA«*T™  $        Substitute 

G.  Master.        \  G.  Master. 


OF    MASONRY.  215 

The  Grand  Master,  being  supported  on  the  right  hand 
by  the  Duke  of  Buccleugh,  and  on  the  left  by  the  Earl 
of  Balcarras,  addressed  himself  to  the  Lord  Provost  and 
Magistrates  in  a  suitable  speech  for  the  occasion ;  and 
the  coins  of  the  present  reign,  and  a  silver-plate  with 
the  following  inscription,  were  deposited  in  the  stone: 

ANNUENTE   DEO   OPTIMO   MAXIMO, 
REGNANTE   GEORGIO  III.,   PATRE  PATRLE3, 

HUJUS   PONTIS, 

QUO   VICI   EXTRA   MCENIA   EDINBURGI, 
URBI   COMMODE   ADJUNGERENTUR, 
ADITUMQUE   NON   INDIGNUM  TANTA 

URBS   HABERET, 

PRIMUM  LAPIDEM  POSUIT 

NOBILIS   VIR  GEORGIUS   DOMINUS   HADDO, 

ANTIQUISSIMI   SODALITII   ARCHITECTONIC! 

APUD   SCOTOS   CURIO   MAXIMUS, 

PLAUDENTE  AMPLISSIMA  FRATRUM  CORONA, 

IMMENSAQUE   POPULI   FREQUENTIA. 

OPUS, 

UTELE    CIVIBUS,    GRATUM   ADVENIS, 

URBI  DECORUM,   PATRUE   HONESTUM, 

DIU   MULTUMQUE   DESIDERATUM, 

CONSULE   JACOBO   HUNTER   BLAIR, 

INCEPTI   AUCTORE    INDEFESSO, 

8ANCIENTE   REGE   SENATUQUE   BRITANNIA, 

APPROBANTIBUS   OMNIBUS, 

TANDEM  INCHOATUM   EST 

IPSIS   KALENDIS   AUGUSTI 

A.  D.   MDCCLXXXV. 

JEEUE  ARCHITECTONICS   5785. 

Q.   F.   F.   Q.    S. 

TRANSLATION. 

By  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God.  in  the  reign  of  George  the  Third, 
the  Father  of  his  country,  the  Right  Hon.  GEORGE  LORD  HADDO, 
Grand  Master  of  the  Most  Ancient  Fraternity  of  Freemasons  in  Scot- 
land, amidst  the  acclamations  of  a  Grand  Assembly  of  the  Brethren, 
and  a  vast  concourse  of  people,  laid  the  first  stone  of  this  bridge, 
intended  to  form  a  convenient  communication  between  the  city  of 
Edinburgh  and  its  suburbs,  and  an  access  not  unworthy  of  such 
city. 

This  work,  so  useful  to  the  inhabitants,  so  pleasing  and  convenient 
to  strangers,  so  ornamental  to  the  city,  so  creditable  to  the  country, 
so  long  and  much  wanted  and  wished  for,  was  at  last  begun,  with  the 
sanction  of  the  king  and  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  and  with  univer- 
sal approbation,  in  the  provostship  of  James  Hunter  Blair,  the  author 
and  indefatigable  promoter  of  the  undertaking,  August  the  1st,  in  the 
year  o£  our  Lord  1785,  and  of  the  £er~  <tf  Masonry  5785. — Which  may 
God  prosper. 


216  ILLUSTRATIONS 

An  anthem  was  then  sung ;  and  the  procession,  being 
reversed,  returned  to  the  Parliament-house.  After  which 
the  Lord  Provost  arid  Magistrates  gave  an  elegant  enter- 
tainment at  Dunn's  rooms  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the 
nobility  and  gentry  who  had  assisted  at  the  ceremony. 

The  next  public  ceremony  in  which  the  Society  bore 
a  principal  share  was  the  laying  the  foundation-stone 
of  that  valuable  seminary  of  learning,  the  new  College 
of  Edinburgh.  This  University  has  for  many  years  been 
esteemed  one  of  the  most  celebrated  in  Europe,  and  has 
attracted  a  great  number  of  students  in  physic,  and  other 
branches  of  science,  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  The 
eminence  of  its  professors  in  every  branch  of  learning  is 
universally  admitted  ;  and  it  is  most  fervently  to  be  wished, 
for  the  honor  of  the  kingdom,  that  the  whole  plan  may 
be  completely  executed  Hgreebly  to  the  intention  of  the 
original  promoters.  As  this  is  an  event  worthy  of  record 
in  the  annals  of  Masonry,  I  shall  describe  minutely  the 
ceremony  observed  on  the  occasion. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1789,  Mr.  Robert  Adam, 
architect,  presented  the  plans  of  the  intended  building, 
at  a  public  breakfast  given  by  the  Lord  Provost  to  the 
Magistrates  and  the  Principal  and  Professors  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh ;  and  explained  their  uses,  for  the 
various  schools,  halls,  and  houses.  The  whole  company 
having  expressed  the  highest  satisfaction  at  the  design,  it 
was  immediately  resolved,  that  a  subscription  should  be 
opened  to  carry  the  plan  into  execution  ;  and  Monday,  the 
16th  of  November,  was  fixed  for  laying  the  foundation- 
stone  of  the  new  structure. 

On  the  morning  of  the  day  appointed  for  performing 
the  ceremony,  the  Brethren  assembled  at  eleven  o'clock 
in  the  Parliament-house,  to  meet  Lord  Napier,  who  was 
at  the  time  G  rand  Master  of  Scotland.  When  the  Lodges 
were  arranged,  the  Grand  Master  sent  notice  to  the  Lord 
Provost  and  Magistrates,  who  had  assembled  in  the  Coun- 
cil-chamber; and  to  the  Principal,  Professors,  and  Stu- 
dents cf  the  University,  who  had  met  in  the  High  Church. 
At  half-past  twelve  the  procession  began  to  move  in  the 
following  order : 

1st.  The  Principal.  Professors,  and  Students  of  the  Universit}',  with 
their  mace  carried  before  them  ;  Principal  Robertson  being  supported 
on  the  right  hand  by  the  Reverend  Dr.  Hunter,  professor  of  divinity 
and  on  the  left  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hardy,  professor  of  Church  History 


OF    MASONRY.  217 

The  Professors  were  all  robed,  and  each  of  the  Students  had  a  sprig 
of  laurel  in  his  hat. 

2nd.  The  Lord  Provost,  Magistrates,  and  Council  in  their  robes, 
preceded  by  the  sword,  mace,  &c.  ;  the  Lord  Provost  being  supported 
on  the  right  and  left  by  the  two  eldest  Bailies. 

3rd.  A  complete  choir  of  Singers,  under  the  direction  of  Signer 
Schetky,  singing  anthems  as  the  procession  moved. 

4th.  The  Lodges,  according  to  seniority,  juniors  preceding,  with 
their  different  insignia. 

5th.  A  complete  band  of  instrumental  music. 

6th.  The  Grand  Stewards,  properly  clothed,  with  white  rods. 

7th.  The  Noblemen  and  Gentlemen  attending  the  Grand  Master. 

8th.  A  large  drawing  of  the  East  Front  of  the  New  College,  carried 
by  two  Operative  Masons. 

9th.  The  grand  jewels,  borne  by  the  Past  Masters  of  Lodges. 
10th.  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  properly  clothed, 
llth.  Past  Grand  Masters. 

12th.  Lord  NAPIER,  present  Grand  Master,  supported  on  the  right 
hand  by  Sir  William  Forbes,  Bart.,  Past  Grand  Master,  and  on  the  left 
by  the  Duke  of  Buccleugh. 

A  detachment  of  the  35th  regiment  from  the  castle*  together  with 
the  city  guard,  lined  the  streets. 

At  one  o'clock  the  Grand  Master  reached  the  site  of 
the  college  ;  when  the  foundation-stone  was  laid  with  the 
usual  ceremonies.94  After  which  the  Grand  Master 
addressed  himself  to  the  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates  as 
follows : 

MY  LORD  PROVOST,  and  MAGISTRATES,  of  the  City  of  Edinburgh, 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  have  now  had  the  honour,  in 
the  capacity  of  Grand  Master  Mason  of  Scotland,  to  lend  my  aid  to- 
wards laying  that  stone,  on  which  it  is  your  intention  to  erect  a  new 
College.  1  must  ever  consider  it  as  one  of  the  fortunate  events  in  my 
life,  that  the  Craft  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  should  be  called  forth, 
to  assist  at  an  undertaking  so  laudable,  and  so  glorious,  during  the 
time  that,  from  their  affection,  I  have  the  honour  of  sitting  in  the 
chair  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  attention  to  the  improvement  of  this  city,  manife^led  by  the 
Magistrates,  your  predecessors  in  office,  has  for  many  years  excited 
the  admiration  of  their  fellow-citizens.  The  particular  exertions  of 
your  Lordship  and  your  Colleagues  have  merited,  and  it  gives  me  infinite 
satisfaction  to  say,  have  obtained,  the  universal  approbation  of  all' ranks 
of  men. 

The  business  of  this  day,  equally  to  be  remembered  in  the  annals  of 
this  city  and  of  Masonry,  will  transmit  your  names  with  lustre  to 
posterity.  Thousands  yet  unborn,  learning  to  admire  your  virtuos, 
will  thereby  be  stimulated  to  follow  the  great  example  you  have  r*t 
them,  of  steady  patriotism,  love  of  your  country,  and  anxious 

94  The  particulars  of  this  part  of  the  ceremony  were  exactly  similar 
to  those  observed  at  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  the  South  Bridge 
see  p.  214. 

11 


218  ILLUSTRATIONS 

desire  to  advance  the  welfare,  and  increase  the  fame,  of  the  city  of 
Edinburgh. 

In  the  name  of  the  Craft  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  in  my 
own,  I  sincerely  implore  the  protection  of  the  Supreme  Architect  of 
the  Universe  on  your  lordship  and  your  brethren  in  the  magistracy  ! 
May  you  long  continue  here  the  ornaments  of  civil  society  ;  and  may 
you  hereafter  be  received  into  those  mansions,  those  lodges,  prepared 
in  heaven  for  the  blessed  ! 

To  this  address  the  Lord  Provost,  in  the  name  of  the 
Magistrates  and  Town  Council  of  the  City  of  Edinburgh, 
made  a  suitable  reply. 

The  Grand  Master  then  addressed  the  Principal,  as 
representing  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  in  the  follow- 
ing words  : — 

REVEREND  SIR, 

Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  as  Principal,  and  your  brethren  as  Pro- 
fessors, of  thjj  University  of  Edinburgh,  on  the  work  in  which  we  have 
this  day  been  engaged  ; — a  work  worthy  of  your  Patrons,  who  (ever 
considering  the  public  good)  will  not  permit  the  seat  of  learning, 
established  in  this  ancient  metropolis,  to  bear  the  appearance  of  decay, 
at  a  time  when  so  much  attention  is  bestowed  on  the  elegance  and 
convenience  both  of  public  and  private  edifices. 

Permit  me,  likewise,  to  congratulate  my  country  on  the  probability 
of  seeing  the  different  chairs  of  the  magnificent  structure  now  to  be 
erected  filled  by  men  so  distinguished  for  their  piety,  so  eminent  for 
their  learning,  and  so  celebrated  for  their  abilities,  as. those  to  whom  I 
now  have  the  honour  to  address  myself. 

Any  panegyric  that  I  can  pronounce  must  fall  so  far  short  of  what 
is  due  to  you,  Sir,  and  your  honourable  and  learned  brethren,  that  it 
would  be  presumption  in  me  to  attempt  to  express  my  sense  of  your 
deserts.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  and  the 
Lodges  depending  on  it,  are  most  happy  in  having  this  opportunity  of 
assisting  at.  and  witnessing,  the  laying  the  foundation,  whence  it  is 
their  earnest  wish  a  building  may  arise,  which  in  future  ages  may  be 
us  renowned  for  the  excellence  of  its  teachers,  and  as  much  respected 
for  the  J^opriety  of  conduct  in  its  students,  as  the  University  now  is, 
over  which  you  have  the  peculiar  satisfaction  of  presiding. 

May  the  Almighty  Architect,  the  Sovereign  Disposer  of  all  Events, 
grant,  that  the  Principal  and  Professors  of  this  College  may  continue 
to  deliver  their  instructions,  and  the  students  receive  theiradmonitions, 
in  su^h  a  mannsr  as  may  redound  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  promoting 
of  science,  and  the  extension  of  all  useful  learning. 

To   which    the   Rev.  Principal   made   the   following 
reply:— 
MY  LORD, 

From  very  humble  beginnings,  the  University  of  Edinburgh  has 
attained  to  such  eminence,  as  entitles  it  to  be  ranked  among  the  most 
celebrated  seminaries  of  learning.  Indebted  to  the  bounty  of  several 
of  our  Sovereigns — distinguished  particularly  by  the  gracious  Prince 


OF    MASONRY.  219 

now  seated  on  the  Brtish  throne,  whom,  with  gratitude,  we  reckon 
among  the  most  munificent  of  our  royal  benefactors — and  cherished 
by  the  continued  attention  and  good  offices  of  our  honourable  Patrons, 
this  University  can  now  boast  of  the  number  and  variety  of  its  insti- 
tutions for  the  instruction  of  youth  in  all  the  branches  of  literature 
and  science. 

With  what  integrity  and  discernment  persons  have  been  chosen  to 
preside  in  each  of  these  departments,  the  character  of  my  learned  col- 
leagues affords  the  most  satisfying  evidence.  From  confidence  in  the 
abilities  and  assiduity  in  discharging  the  duties  of  their  respective 
offices,  the  University  of  Edinburgh  has  become  a  seat  of  education, 
not  only  to  youth  in  every  part  of  the  British  dominions,  but,  to  the 
honour  of  our  country,  students  have  been  attracted  to  it  from  almost 
every  nation  in  Europe,  and  every  State  in  America. 

One  thing  still  was  wanting.  The  apartments  appropriated  -for 
the  accommodation  of  Professors  and  Students  were  so  extremely 
unsuitable  to  the  flourishing  state  of  the  University,  that  it  had  long 
been  the  general  wish  to  have  buildings  more  decent  and  convenient 
erected.  What  your  lordship  has  now  done  gives  a  prospect  of  having 
this  wish  accomplished ;  and  we  consider  it  as  a  most  auspicious 
circumstance,  that  the  foundation-stone  of  this  new  mansion  of  science 
is  laid  by  your  lordship,  who,  among  your  ancestors,  reckoned  a  mar 
whose  original  and  universal  genius  places  him  high  among  the  illus- 
trious persons  who  have  contributed  most  eminently  to  enlarge  the 
boundaries  of  human  knowledge. 

Permit  me  to  add,  what  I  regard  as  my  own  peculiar  felicity,  thai 
by  having  remained  in  my-  present  station  much  longer  than  any  of  my 
predecessors.  I  have  lived  to  witness  an  event  so  beneficial  to  this 
University,  the  prosperity  of  which  is  near  to  my  heart,  and  has  ever 
been  the  object  of  my  warmest  wishes. 

May  Almighty  God,  without  invocation  of  whom  no  action  of  im- 
portance should  be  begun,  bless  this  undertaking,  and  enable  us  to 
carry  it  on  with  success  !  May  he  continue  to  protect  our  University ; 
the  object  of  whose  institution  is,  to  instil  into  the  minds  of  youth 
principles  of  sound  knowledge  ;  to  inspire  them  with  the  love  of  reli- 
gion and  virtue ;  and  to  prepare  them  for  filling  the  various  situations 
in  society,  with  honour  to  themselves,  and  with  benefit  to  their 
country  ! 

All  this  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Christ ;  and  unto  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  we  ascribe  the  kingdom,  power,  and  glory  ! 
Amen. 

After  the  Principal  had  finished  his  speech,  the  Brethren 
concluded  the  ceremony  with  .the  honours. 

Two  crystal  bottles,  cast  on  purpose  at  the  glass-house 
of  Leith,  were  deposited  in  the  foundation-stone.  In  one 
of  these  were  put  different  coins  of  the  present  reign, 
each  of  which  was  previously  enveloped  in  crystal  in  such 
an  ingenious  manner  that  the  legend  on  the  coins  could 
be  distinctly  read  without  breaking  the  crystal.  In  the 
other  bottle  were  deposited  seven  rolls  of  vellum,  con- 


220  ILLUSTRATIONS 

taining  a  short  account  of  the  original  foundation  and 
present  state  of  the  University,  together  with  several 
other  papers  ;  in  particular,  the  different  newspapers, 
containing  advertisements  relative  to  the  college,  &c., 
and  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  present  Principal  and  Pro- 
fessors, also  of  the  present  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates, 
and  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland.  The  bot- 
tles, being  carefully  sealed  up,  were  covered  with  a  plate 
of  copper  wrapt  in  block  tin ;  and,  upon  the  under-side 
of  the  copper,  were  engraven  the  arms  of  the  city  of 
Edinburgh,  and  of  the  University  ;  likewise  the  arms  of 
the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Napier,  Grand  Master  Mason  of 
Scotland.  Upon  the  upper-side,  a  Latin  inscription,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

ANNUENTE   DEO   OPT.    MAX. 

REGNANTE   GEORGIO   III.   PRINCIPE   MUNIFICENTISSIMO, 
ACADEMIC   EDINBURGENSIS 

^EDIBIJS, 

INITIO   QUIDEM   HUMLLLIMI8, 
ET   JAM,    POST   DUO    SECULA,    PENE    RUINI8, 

NOVI   HUJU8   ^EDIFICII, 

UBI   COMMODITATI    SIMUL   ET    ELEGANTLfi, 
TANTO   DOCTRINARUM   DOMIC1L1O   DIGN^E, 

CONSULERETUR, 
PRIMUM    LAPIDEM    POSUIT, 

PLAUDENTE   INGENTI   OMNIUM   ORDINUM   FREQUENTIA, 

VIR  NOBILI8SIMUS    FRANCISCUS    DOMINUS   NAPIER, 

REIPUB.    ARCHITECTONICS   APUD   SCOTOS 

CURIO 

MAXIMUS. 

XVI   KAL   DECEMB. 

ANNO    SALUTIS    HUMANE   MDCCLXXXIX. 
JER2E   ARCHITECTONICS   IOOIDCCLXXX1X. 

CONSULE   THOMA    ELDER; 

ACADEMIC    PRSFECTO   GULIELMO   ROBERTSON 

ARCHITECTO    ROBERTO   ADAM. 

Q.  F.  F.  Q.  S. 

TRANSLATION. 

By  the  blessing  of  ALMIGHTY  GOD, 

In  the  reign  of  the  most  munificent  Prince  GEORGE  IH. 

The  buildings  of  the  University  of  Edinburgh, 

Being  originally  very  mean, 
And  now,  after  two  centuries,  almost  a  ruin, 

The  Right  Hon.  FRANCIS  LORD  NAPIER, 
Grand  Master  of  the  Fraternity  of  Free  Masons  in  Scotland, 

Amidst  the  acclamations 

Of  a  prodigious  concourse  of  people, 

Laid  the  foundation-stone 


OF    MASONRY.  221 

Of  this  new  fabric, 

In  which  an  union  of  elegance  with  convenience, 
Suitable  to  the  dignity  of  such  a  celebrated  seat  of  learning, 

Has  been  studied, 

On  the  16th  day  of  November, 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1789, 

And  of  the  aera  of  Masonry  5789 ; ' 

THOMAS  ELDER  being  the  Lord  Provost  of  the  City ; 

WILLIAM  KOBERTSON,  the  Principal  of  the  University  ;* 

And  ROBERT  ADAM,  the  Architect. 
May  the  undertaking  prosper,  and  be  crowned  with  success  ! 

An  anthem  having  been  sung,  the  brethren  returned; 
the  whole  procession  being  reversed;  and  when  the 
junior  Lodge  arrived  at  the  door  of  the  Parliament-house, 
it  fell  back  to  the  right  and  left,  within  the  line  of  sol- 
diers; when  the  Principal,  Professors,  and  Students,  the 
Lord  Provost,  Magistrates,  and  Town  Council,  and  the 
Grand  Lodge,  passed  through  with  their  hats  off. 

The  procession,  on  this  occasion,  was  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  numerous  that  ever  was  exhibited  in  the 
city  of  Edinburgh.  The  Provost  and  Magistrates  had 
very  properly  invited  many  of  the  nobility  and  gentry 
from  all  parts  of  the  country,  to  witness  the  solemnity 
of  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  a  College,  the  architec- 
ture of  which,  it  is  agreed  by  all  who  have  seen  the  plan, 
will  do  honour  to  the  city,  to  the  nation,  and  to  Europe. 
But  the  number  of  persons  invited  was  far  exceeded  by 
the  immense  multitude  of  all  ranks,  who,  desirous  of 
viewing  so  magnificent  a  spectacle,  filled  the  streets, 
windows,  and  even  roofs  of  the  houses,  all  the  way  from 
the  Parliament-close,  down  the  High-street  and  Bridge- 
street,  near  the  south  end  of  which  the  foundation-stone 
was  laid.  Above  20,000  were  supposed  to  be  witnesses 
of  this  ceremony;  and,  notwithstanding  this  immense 
crowd,  the  greatest  order  and  decency  were  observed ; 
nor  did  the  smallest  accident  happen. 

On  the  7th  of  January,  1765,  the  Brethren  in  Scotland 
had  another  opportunity  of  exemplifying  their  skill  in 
the  practical  rules  of  the  Art,  at  opening  the  new  bridge 
for  carriages  at  Montrose.  This  undertaking  had  been 

long  deemed  impracticable,  on  account  of  the  extent 

• 

96  The  kte  elegant  Historian  of  Scotland,  of  Charles  V.   America, 

WNIVER8JTY 


222  ILLUSTRATIONS 

being  near  half  a  mile,  across  a  rapid  influx  and  reflux 
of  the  sea;  but  was  at  last  happily  accomplished  under 
the  superintendence  of  the  Fraternity,  and  the  great  post 
road  from  the  south  to  the  north  of  Scotland  is  now 
united.  A  public  procession  was  formed  on  this  occa- 
sion ;  and  the  Grand  Master,  amidst  an  immense  con- 
course of  people,  having  critically  examined  the  work, 
declared  it  well  built,  and  ably  executed. 

Having  described  the  principal  works  in  which  the 
Brethren  in  Scotland  were  employed,  we  shall  now 
resume  the  history  of  Masonry  in  England,  and  trace  the 
occurrences  that  took  place  there,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  late  Duke  of  Cumberland,  and  his  successor,  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  afterwards  his  Most  Gracious  Majesty 
King  George  IV. 

On  Tuesday,  the  9th  of  March,  1786,  his  Royal  High- 
ness Prince  William  Henry,  now  Duke  of  Clarence,  was 
initiated  into  Masonry,  at  the  Lodge  No.  86,  held  at  the 
Prince  George  inn,  at  Plymouth. 

On  the  4th  of  January,  1787,  was  opened,  in  London, 
the  Grand  Chapter  of  Harodim.  Though  this  Order  is  of 
ancient  date,  and  had  been  patronised  in  different  parts 
of  Europe,  there  appears  not  on  record,  previous  to  this 
period,  the  regular  establishment  of  such  an  association  in 
England.  For  some  years  it  was  faintly  encouraged ;  but 
after  its  merit  had  been  further  investigated,  it  received 
the  patronage  of  several  exalted  masonic  characters.96 

96  The  Mysteries  of  this  order  are  peculiar  to  the  institution  itself  j 
while  the  lectures  of  the  Chapter  include  every  branch  of  the  masonic 
system,  and  represent  the  art  of  Masonry  in  a  finished  and  complete 
form. 

Different  classes  are  established,  and  particular  lectures  restricted 
to  each  class.  The  lectures  are  divided  into  sections,  and  the  sections 
into  clauses.  The  sections  are  annually  assigned,  by  the  Chief  Harod, 
to  a  certain  number  of  skilful  companions  in  each  class,  who  are 
denominated  Sectionists ;  and  they  are  empowered  to  distribute  the 
clauses  of  their  respective  sections,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Chief 
Harod  and  General  Director,  among  the  private  companions  of  the 
Chapter,  who  are  denominated  Clauseholders.  Such  companions  as 
by  assiduity  become  possessed  of  all  the  sections  in  the  lecture,  are 
called  Lecturers;  and  out  of  these  the  General  Director  is  always 
chosen. 

Every  Clauseholder,  on  his  appointment,  is  presented  with  a  ticket, 
signed  by  the  Chief  Harod,  specifying  the  clause  allotted  to  him.  This 
ticket  entitles  him  to  enjoy  the  rank  and  privileges  of  a  Clauseholder 
in  the  Chapter ;  and  no  Clauseholder  can  transfer  his  ticket  to  another 


OF    MASONRY.  223 

The  Grand  Chapter  is  governed  by  a  Grand  Patron, 
two  Vice-Patrons,  a  Chief  Ruler,  and  two  Assistants, 
with  a  Council  of  twelve  respectable  Companions,  who 
are  chosen  annually  at  the  Chapter  nearest  to  the  festival 
of  St.  John  the  Evangelist. 

On  Thursday,  the  6th  of  February,  1787,  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales  was  made  a  Mason  at  an 
occasional  Lodge,  convened  for  the  purpose,  at  the  Star 
and  Garter  Tavern,  Pall  Mall,  over  which  the  late  Duke 
of  Cumberland  presided  in  person.  And  on  Friday,  the 
21st  of  November  following,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke 
of  York  was  initiated  into.  Masonry,  at  a  special  Lodge, 
convened  for  the  purpose,  at  the  same  place,  over  which 
the  Grand  Master  also  presided  in  person.  His  Royal 
Highness  was  introduced  by  his  royal  brother,  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  who  assisted  at  the  ceremony  of  his  initiation. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  1718,  another  event  worthy  of 
notice  in  the  annals  of  Masonry  took  place — the  institu- 
tion of  "The  Royal  Freemasons'  Charity  for  Female 
Children,"  for  maintaining,  clothing,  and  educating  the 
female  children  and  orphans  of  indigent  brethren.  To 
the  benevolent  exertions  of  the  late  Chevalier  Bartholo- 
mew Ruspini,  the  Fraternity  are,  in  the  first  place, 
indebted  for  this  establishment.  Under  the  patronage 
of  her  Royal  Highness  the  late  Duchess  of  Cumberland, 
the  school  was  originally  formed;  and  to  her  fostering 
hand  is  owing  its  present  flourishing  state,  by  her  recom- 
mending it  to  the  Royal  Family,  as  well  as  to  many  of  the 
nobility  and  gentry  of  both  sexes.  On  the  1st  of  January, 
]  789,  fifteen  children  were  taken  into  a  house  provided 
for  them  at  Somers  Town,  St.  Pancras;  but  since  that 
time,  by  the  liberal  encouragement  which  •  the  charity 
has  received  from  the  Fraternity  in  India  as  well  as  in 
England,  the  Governors  have  been  enabled  to  aug- 
ment the  number  of  children,  at  different  periods,  to 
sixty-five. 

Companion,  unless  the  consent  of  the  Council  has  been  obtained  for 
that  purpose,  and  the  General  Director  has  approved  the  Companion 
to  whom  it  is  to  be  transferred,  as  qualified  to  hold  it.  In  case  of  the 
death,  sickness,  or  non-residence  in  London,  of  any  Lecturer,  Section- 
ist,  or  Clauseholder,  another  Companion  is  appointed  to  fill  up  the 
vacancy  for  the  time  being,  that  the  lectures  may  be  always  complete ; 
and  during  the  session,  a  public  lecture  is  usually  delivered  at  stated 
times. 


224  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  object  of  this  charity  is,  to  train  up  children  in 
the  knowledge  of  virtue  and  religion  ;  in  an  early  detesta- 
tion of  vice  and  its  unhappy  consequences  ;  in  industry, 
as  necessary  to  their  condition;  and  to  impress  strongly 
in  their  minds,  a  due  sense  of  subordination,  true  humi- 
lity, and  obedience  to  their  superiors. 

In  1793,  the  Governors,  anxious  still  further  to  extend 
the  benefits  of  this  Institution,  hired,  on  lease,  a  piece  of 
ground  in  St.  George's  Fields,  belonging  to  the  City  of 
London,  on  which  they  have  erected  a  commodious  and 
spacious  school-house,  at  the  expense  of  upwards  of 
2500/.,  in  which  the  children  are  now  placed.  This 
building  is  sufficiently  extensive  to  accommodate  one 
hundred  children ;  and  from  the  exertions  of  the  Frater- 
nity, at  home  and  abroad,  there  is  every  reason  to  hope 
that  the  Governors  will  soon  have  it  in  their  power  to 
provide  for  that  number.97 

97  The  following  is  an  Abstract  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  estab- 
lished for  the  government  of  this  Institution : — 

QUALIFICATIONS  FOR  GOVERNORS. 

1.  Every  subscriber  of  one  guinea,  annually,  is  deemed  a  Governor 
during  the  continuance  of  such  subscription,  and  is  entitled  to  one 
vote  at  all  elections  for  children. 

2.  The  Master,  for  the  time  being,  of  every  Lodge,  which  subscribes 
one  guinea  per  annum,  has  the  same  privileges. 

3.  Every  Benefactor  of  ten  guineas  or  upwards,  at  once,  or  within 
a  year,  is  thereby  constituted  a  Governor  for  life,  and  a  member  of 
the  general  committee,  and  is  entitled  to  one  vote ;  every  additional 
ten  guineas  given  will  entitle  him  to  another  vote. 

4.  The  Master,  for  the  time  being,  of  every  Lodge,  subscribing  ten 
guineas  within  a  year,  becomes  a  Governor,  and  a  member  of  the  gene- 
ral committee  for  fifteen  years,  with  the  privilege  of  one  vote. 

5.  The  Master,  for  the  time  being,  of  every  Lodge,  subscribing 
twenty  guineas  at  once,  or  in  two  donations  within  ten  years,  becomes 
a  Governor,  and  a  member  of  the  general  committee,  so  long  as  that 
Lodge  exists,  with  the  privilege  of  one  vote. 

6.  Every  Lodge,  which  has  already  subscribed  twenty  guineas,  will 
be  entitled  to  one  vote,  in  addition,  for  every  further  s-um  of  twenty 
guineas  subscribed.     N.B.  The  sum  of  ten  guineas,  at  any  time  given 
by  any  such  Lodge,  will  entitle  it  to  an  additional  vote  for  fifteen 
years. 

7.  The  physicians,  surgeons,  and  other  medical   gentlemen  who 
attend  this  charity,  and  administer  their  advice  and  assistance  gratis, 
are  thereby  constituted  Governors  for  life. 

8.  Every  clergyman  who  benevolently  advocates  the  cause  of  this 
charity  from  the  pulpit,  is,  in  consideration  of  such  service,  entitled 
to  the  same  privilege. 


OF    MASONRY.  225 

To  the  benevolent  and  indefatigable  exertions  of  Wil- 
liam Forssteen,  the  late  Antony  Ten  Broeke,  Adam 
Gordon,  Esqrs.,  and  a  few  other  respectable  Brethren,  the 
Society  are  principally  indebted  for  the  complete  estab- 

9.  The  executor  of  any  person  who  pays  one  hundred  pounds  tc 
this  charity,  thereby  becomes  a  Life-governor ;  and  the  payment  of  a 
legacy  of  two  hundred  pounds,  or  upwards,  constitutes  all  the  execu- 
tors, who  have  proved  the  will.  Governors  for  life. 

10.  Every  Governor  has  a  right  to  vote  at  all  qua/terly  and  special 
general  courts. 

11.  Every  new  subscriber  will  be  entitled  to  vote,  immediately  on 
payment  of  his  subscription. 

12.  No  annual  subscriber  can  vote  at  any  election,  till  his  subscrip- 
tion for  the  current  year  (which  always  commences  at  Lady-day)  and 
all  arrears  are  paid. 

13.  Lodges,  having  votes,  are  required  to  give  notice  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  election  of  their  respective  Masters,  before  they  can  be 
entitled  to  vote. 

14.  All  Governors,  (except  annual  subscribers  residing  within  the 
bills  of  mortality,)  and  all  ladies,  noblemen,  members  of  parliament, 
Masters  of  Lodges  having  the  privileges  of  Life-governors,  and  Masters 
of  foreign  or  country  Lodges,  (being  subscribers.)  have  a  right  to  vote 
by  proxy,  at  all  elections  for  children. 

15.  The  Governor  giving  the  proxy  must  insert  therein  the  names 
of  all  the  children  for  whom  he  intends  to  vote,  as  only  one  proxy 
can  be  admitted.     He  must  also  sign  it  with  his  name,  and  insert  his 
place  of  residence  and  the  date  of  the  proxy,  together  with  the  name 
of  the  Governor  to  whom  it  is  given,  as  such  proxy  can  only  be  given 
to  a  Governor,  and  be  used  at  the  next  ensuing  election. 

16.  All  foreign  Lodges  may  vote  by  general  proxy,  to  be  renewed 
every  Jive  years  j  and  country  Lodges  may  have  the  same  privilege,  to 
be  renewed  annually  ; — such  general  proxies  being  given  to  Governors 
only,  and  being  signed  by  the  Master,  Wardens,  and  Secretary  of  each 
Lodge  respectively. 


QUALIFICATIONS,  ADMISSION,  EDUCATION,  AND 
DISPOSAL  OF  THE   CHILDREN.  . 

Children,  from  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  are  admitted  into  the 
school,  from  the  age  of  seven  to  ten  years,  and  they  remain  in  the 
school  till  they  have  attained  the  age  of  fifteen  years ;  during  which 
time,  they  are  carefully  instructed  in  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic, 
needle-work,  and  all  kinds  of  domestic  employment.  When  they  quit 
the  school,  they  are  either  returned  to  their  friends,  or  are  apprenticed 
for  four  3^ears.  to  trades  or  as  domestic  servants,  as  may  be  most  suit- 
able to  their  respective  capacities  ;  at  which  time  each  of  them  is 
presented  with  a  Bible,  a  Prayer-Book,  and  Dr.  Wilson's  Treatise  on 
the  Sacrament ;  and  further  supplied  with  two  complete  suits  of  cloth- 
ing. Besides  these,  as  an  encouragement  and  reward  to  each  girl  for 
serving  her  apprenticeship  well  and  faithfully,  a  premium  of  five  gui- 
11* 


226  ILLUSTRATIONS 

lishment  of  this  truly  laudable    institution ;    and  such 
have  been  the  care  and  pains  bestowed  on  the  education 
of  the  children,  that  the  sums  arising  from  their  work, 
for  several  years  past,  have  exceeded  200/.  annually. 
On  the  10th  of  February,  1790,   the  Grand   Lodge 

neas  is  given  at  the  expiration  of  her  term,  on  her  producing  due 
testimonials  of  her  good  behaviour  during  that  period. 

Children  applying  to  be  admitted  into  the  school,  must  be  the 
daughters  or  orphans  of  indigent  Freemasons ;  thy  must  be  full  six 
years  of  age,  and  not  more  than  nine,  when  their  petitions*  are  pre- 
sented— must  have  had  the  small-pox,  or  cow-pox — be  in  perfectly 
good  health — and  free  from  all  infirmity  and  deformity. 

No  child  can  be  admitted  who  is  under  seven,  or  above  ten  years  of 
age. 

The  petitioner  must  have  the  following  certificates,  viz. : 

1.  A  certificate  from  the  Master  and  Wardens  of  the  Lodge  in 
which  her  father  was  made  a  Mason,  or  from  some  Lodge  of  which 
ho  has  been  a  member,  to  prove  that  he  has  been  three  years  a  Mason. 
N.B.  This  proof  will  be  dispensed  with  if  the  child  be  an  orphan. 

2.  A  certificate  from  the  Grand  Secretary ,  of  the  father's  having 
been  duly  registered  as  a  Mason  in  the  books  of  the  United  Grand 
Lodge  of  England. 

3.  A  certificate  of  the  marriage  of  her  parents. 

4.  An  attested  copy  of  the  register  of  her  birth,  extracted  from  the 
books  of  the  parish  wherein  she  was  born ;  or  some  other  satisfactory 
proof  of  her  age. 

5.  A  certificate,  signed  by  two  respectable  housekeepers,  or  other 
proof,  of  the  parish  to  which  she  belongs. 

6.  A  certificate  of  the  state  of  her  health,  under  the  hand  of  one  of 
the  Medical  Governors  of  the  charity. 

The  petitions  and  testimonials  of  the  candidates  for  admission  are 
to  be  examined  by  the  General  Committee,  who  are  to  make  report 
thereof  to  the  Quarterly  General  Court,  which  court  alone  can  order 
the  admission  of  children  into  the  school.  When  there  are  more 
approved  candidates  than  there  are  vacancies  in  the  school,  their 
admission  is  to  be  determined  by  ballot. 

All  the  children  who  are  candidates  for  admission,  are  to  be  sum- 
moned to  attend  the  General  Committee  next  but  one  preceding  every 
election,  in  order  to  be  examined  as  to  the  state  of  their  health,  and 
other  circumstances,  at  that  time ;  and  each  child,  when  elected,  is  to 
be  examined  by  two  of  the  medical  Governors  of  the  charity,  and  their 
certificate  of  the  state  of  her  health  is  to  be  laid  before  the  next 
House  Committee,  who,  if  nt>t  satisfied,  may  suspend  her  admission 
all  further  inquiry  be  made. 

Every  child  is  to  be  brought  to  the  school  for  admission,  at  the 
next  House  Committee,  or  at  some  other  time  to  be  appointed,  within 
one  month  after  her  election,  and  she  is  not  afterwards  to  depart  from 
the  school  without  leave,  on  pain  of  exclusion. 

No  parent  or  friend  of  any  child  will  be  permitted  to  visit  her,  at 
the  school,  except  on  a  Thursday,  between  the  hours  of  ten  and  two, 

»  Blank  fonna  of  petition  may  be  had 'at  the  school 


OF    MASONRY.  227 

voted  an  annual  subscription  of  251.  to  this  charity,  and 
particularly  recommended  it  to  the  Lodges  as  deserving 
of  encouragement ;  in  consequence  of  which,  considera- 
ble sums  have  been  raised  for  its  support;  and  among 
the  very  liberal  subscriptions  from  the  Lodges,  the  Shak- 
speare  Lodge  is  particularly  distinguished ;  having,  as  a 

and  then  only  by  means  of  an  order,  obtained  for  that  purpose,  from 
one  of  the  House  Committee:  and  they  are  forbidden  to  speak  to  or 
join  them  in  their  procession  to  and  from  church. 

No  child  can  be  taken  out  of  the  school  by  her  friends,  before  the 
expiration  of  the  time  limited  by  the  regulations  of  the  charity,  except 
in  case  of  illness,  unless  her  board,  clothing,  &c.,  be  paid  for  from  the 
time  of  her  having  been  admitted. 

OFFICERS  OF  THE  INSTITUTION. 

PATRON. 
His  MOST  GRACIOUS  MAJESTY  KING  GEORGE  THE  IVth,  G.  P. 

VICE  PATRONS. 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York. 
His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  M.  W.  G.  M. 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Athol,  P.  G.  M. 
The  Most  Noble  the  Marquis  of  Hastings,  P.  A.  G.  M. 

VICE  PATRONESS. 
The  Most  Noble  the  Marchioness  of  Hastings. 

PRESIDENT. 
His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  M.  W.  G.  M 

VICE  PRESIDENTS. 

His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Hamilton,  G.  M.  for  Scotland. 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Leinster,  G.  M.  for  Ireland. 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Devonshire. 
The  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Pomfret. 
The  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Kingston, 
The  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Mountnorris. 
The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Viscount  Dudley  and  Ward. 
The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Viscount  Sidmouth. 
The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Hawke. 
The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Eardley. 

TREASURER. 

William  Williams,  Esq.,  M.  P.,  Belmont  House,  South 
Lambeth. 

TRUSTEES. 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex, 
The  Most  Noble  the  Marquis  of  Hastings. 
William  Forssteen,  Esq. 
David  Gordon,  Esq. 
John  Dent,  Esq.,  M.  P. 


228  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Lodge,  and  from  individuals  belonging  to  it,  paid  above 
a  thousand  pounds  to  the  fund.  From  these  donations, 
and  the  increase  of  annual  contributions,  an  Institution 
which  reflects  great  honour  on  the  Fraternity,  promises 
fair  to  have  a  permanent  establishment.98 

The  late  Duke  of  Cumberland  continued  in  the  office 
of  Grand  Master  till  his  death,  in  September,  1790.  It 
may  be  truly  said,  that  such  a  valuable  acquisition  was 
made  to  the  Society  during  his  royal  highnesses  adminis- 
tration, as  is  almost  unparalleled  in  the  annals  of 
Masonry. 

On  the  10th  of  February,  1790,  regular  notice  was  given 
in  Grand  Lodge,  that  his  Royal  Highness  Prince  Edward, 
late  Duke  of  Kent,  while  on  his  travels,  had  been  regu- 
larly initiated  into  Masonry  in  the  Union  Lodge  at 
Geneva ;  and  we  were  afterwards  informed,  that  his  Royal 
Highness  Prince  Augustus  Frederick,  now  Duke  of 
Sussex,  had  been  likewise  initiated  into  the  Order  at  a 
Lodge  in  Berlin. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  highly  sensible  of  the  great  honour 
conferred  on  the  Society  by  the  initiation  of  so  many  royal 
personages,  unanimously  resolved,  that  each  of  them 
should  be  presented  with  an  apron,  lined  with  blue  silk, 
the  clothing  of  a  Grand  Officer;  and  that  they  should  be 
placed,  in  all  public  meetings  of  the  Society,  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  rank  in  all  processions  as 
Past  Grand  Masters. 

On  the  2nd  of  May,  1790,  the  grand  feast  was  honoured 
with  the  presence  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  the  Grand 
Master,  in  the  chair ;  attended  by  his  royal  nephews,  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  and  the  Dukes  of  York  and  Clarence, 
with  above  five  hundred  other  Brethren.  At  this  Grand 
Assembly  was  confirmed  the  re-instatement  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity  in  all  their  masonic  privi- 
leges, after  an  unfortunate  separation  of  ten  years ;  and 
among  those  who  were  re-instated,  the  Author  of  thi« 
treatise  had  the  honour  to  be  included.  On  the  24th  of 
November,  1790,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales 
was  elected  to  the  high  and  important  office  of  Grand 


98  William  Preston,  Esq..  the  author  of  this  book,  bequeathed  to 
this  charity,  by  his  will,  500Z.  three  per  cents,  consols ;  and  a  like  sum 
to  the  General  Charity  Fund  of  the  Grand  Lodge. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  229 

Master ;  and  he  was  pleased  to  appoint  Lord  Rawdon 
(now  Marquis  of  Hastings)  Acting  Grand  Master  ;  who 
had  previously  filled  that  office  under  his  late  royal  uncle, 
on  the  resignation  of  the  Earl  of  Effingharn,  who  went 
abroad  on  his  accepting  the  governorship  of  Jamaica. 

On  the  9th  of  February,  1791,  the  Grand  Lodge 
resolved,  on  the  motion  of  Lord  Pet-re,  that,  in  testimony 
of  the  high  sense  the  Fraternity  entertained  of  the  honour 
done  to  the  Society  by  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of 
Wales's  acceptance  of  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  three 
elegant  chairs  and  candlesticks  should  be  provided  for  the 
use  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and  at  the  grand  feast  in  May 
following,  these  were  accordingly  finished,  and  presented 
to.  public  view  ;  but,  unfortunately,  the  Grand  Master's 
indisposition  at  that  time  prevented  him  from  honouring 
the  Society  with  his  presence.  Lord  Rawdon,  however, 
officiated  as  proxy  for  His  Royal  Highness,  who  was 
re-elected  with  the  most  joyful  acclamations. 

SECT.  XII. 

History  of  Masonry  from  the  Installation  of  the  Prince  of 
WALES  as  GRAND  MASTER,  to  the  Grand  Feast  of  1795 
inclusive. 

AT  the  Grand  Feast  held  at  Freemasons' -Hall,  on  the 
2nd  of  May,  1792,  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales 
was  installed  Grand  Master,  to  the  inexpressible  joy  of 
the  Fraternity,  in  the  presence  of  his  royal  brother  the 
Duke  of  York,  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Rawdon,  now  Marquis 
of  Hastings,  and  above  500  other  respectable  Brethren. 
The  repeated  applauses  bestowed  by  the  company  upon 
the  royal  brothers  were  highly  grateful  to  their  feelings ; 
while  the  affability  and  heartfelt  satisfaction  of  the  Grand 
Master  at  the  head  of  his  Brethren  were  particularly 
noticed.  His  Royal  Highness  performed  the  duties  of  his 
uffice  in  a  style  superior  to  most  of  his  predecessors.  His 
observations  were  clear,  acute,  and  pertinent ;  his  expres- 
sion was  fluent,  manly,  and  distinct ;  and  his  eulogium 
on  his  deceased  uncle,  the  last  Grand  Master,  pathetic, 
graceful  and  elegant.  The  compliment  that  he  conferred 
on  Lord  Rawdon,  as  Acting  Grand  Master,  was  truly 
Masonic ;  and  to  all  his  Officers,  on  their  appointments, 
he  paid  the  proper  tribute  to  their  respective  merits.  In 


230  ILLUSTRATIONS 

short,  during  the  whole  ceremony,  his  demeanour  was 
courteous,  pleasing  and  dignified. 

An  era  so  important  in  the  annals  of  Masonry  must 
be  recorded  with  peculiar  satisfaction.  Testimonies  of 
loyalty  and  attachment  to  the  family  on  the  throne,  and 
to  the  happy  constitution  of  the  country,  were  transmitted 
to  his  Royal  Highness  from  the  Brethren  in  every  quarter. 
The  Lodges  in  town  and  country  vied  with  each  other  in 
expressions  of  duty  and  affection  to  the  Grand  Master ; 
and  in  various  addresses  to  his  Royal  Highness  testified 
submission  and  obedience  to  the  laws,  and  an  ardent 
wish  to  support  that  well-regulated  form  of  government, 
from  which  they  and  their  ancestors  had  derived  the 
invaluable  blessings  of  liberty,  so  truly  essential  to  the 
happiness  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  in  general,  and  to  the 
propagation  of  those  principles  which  distinguish  the  Craft 
of  Masons  in  particular — universal  charity,  brotherly  love, 
and  peace. 

On  the  21st  of  June,  the  Brethren  in  the  county  of 
Lincoln  transmitted  their  grateful  acknowledgments  to 
his  Royal  Highness  in  a  column  of  heart  of  oak,  which 
was  presented  by  the  Rev.  William  Peters,  their  Provin- 
cial Grand  Master.  Stimulated  by  the  same  motive, 
several  other  Lodges  copied  the  example  ;  and  on  the  7th 
of  January,  1793,  the  Freemasons  of  Cornwall  unani- 
mously voted  an  Address  to  his  Royal  Highness,  which 
was  presented  by  Sir  John  St.  Aubyn,  their  Provincial 
Grand  Master,  and  most  graciously  received.  In  short, 
one  spirit  seemed  to  animate  the  whole  Fraternity,  who 
joyfully  hailed  the  rising  splendour  and  prosperity  of  the 
Craft. 

The  French  revolution,  which,  in  extent  and  import- 
ance of  effect,  is  unquestionably  the  most  momentous 
event  that  has  happened  since  the  religious  revolutions 
in  Europe  at  the  beginning  of  the  sixteenth  century, 
having  unfortunately  given  rise,  at  this  time,  to  many 
unhappy  dissensions,  which  spread  their  contagion  among 
some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  island,  it  became  neces- 
sary co  counteract  the  measures  of  those  mistaken  indi- 
viduals who  were  endeavouring  to  sow  the  seeds  of 
anarchy,  and  poison  the  minds  of  the  people  against  his 
Majesty's  government,  and  the  excellent  constitution  under 
which  they  enjoyed  the  invaluable  blessings  of  liberty 
and  property.  This  induced  most  of  the  corporate  bodies 


OF    MASONRY.  231 

in  the  kingdom,  and  all  the  true  friends  to  the  constitution, 
to  stem  the  torrent  of  opposition,  and  promote,  in  their 
different  departments,  a  just  sense  of  the  advantages 
enjoyed  under  the  present  government.  Hence,  addresses 
to  the  throne  were  daily  presented,  with  assurances  of  a 
determination  to  support  the  measures  of  administration ; 
and  among  the  rest,  it  was  deemed  proper  that  the  Society 
of  Masons,  by  adding  their  mite  to  the  number,  should 
show  that  attachment  to  the  King  and  Constitution  which 
the  laws  of  the  Order  enjoined.  Accordingly,  on  the  6th 
of  February,  1793,  the  Grand  Lodge  unanimously  resolved 
that  the  following  Address  should  be  presented  to  his 
Majesty,  by  his  Royal  Highness ;  who,  in  compliance 
with  the  request  of  his  Brethren,  condescended  to  present 
it  in  person  to  his  Royal  Parent^  by  whom  it  was  most 
graciously  received  : 

To  the  KING'S  Most  Excellent  MAJESTY. 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  Fraternity 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  under  the  Constitution  of 

England. 
Most  Gracious  Sovereign, 

At  a  time  when  nearly  the  whole  mass  of  the  people  anxiously 
press  forward,  and  offer,  with  one  heart  and  one  voice,  the  most  anima- 
ted testimonies  of  their  attachment  to  your  Majesty's  Person  and 
Government,  and  of  their  unabated  zeal,  at  this  period  of  innovation 
and  anarchy  in  other  countries,  for  the  unequalled  Constitution  of 
their  own,  permit  a  body  of  men,  Sire,  which,  though  not  known  to 
the  laws,  has  been  ever  obedient  to  them — men  who  do  not  yield  to 
any  description  of  your  Majesty's  subjects  in  the  love  of  their  coun- 
try, in  true  allegiance  to  their  Sovereign,  or  in  any  other  of  the  duties 
of  a  good  Citizen — to  approach  you  with  this  public  declaration  of 
their  political  principles.  The  times,  they  think,  demand  it  of  them ; 
and  they  wish  not  to  be  among  the  last,  in  such  times,  to  throw  their 
weight,  whatever  that  may  be,  into  the  scale  of  Order,  Subordination, 
and  good  Government. 

It  is  written,  Sire,  in  the  Institute  of  our  Order,  that  we  shall  not, 
at  our  meetings,  go  into  religious  or  political  discussion ;  because, 
composed  (as  our  Fraternity  is)  of  men  of  various  nations,  profess- 
ing different  rules  of  faith,  and  attached  to  opposite  systems  of  gov- 
ernment, such  discussions,  sharpening  the  mind  of  man  against  his 
brother,  might  offend  and  disunite.  A  crisis,  however,  so  unlooked 
for  as  the  present,  justifies  to  our  judgment  a  relaxation  of  that  rule; 
and,  our  first  duty  as  Britons  superseding  all  other  considerations, 
we  add,  without  further  pause,  our  voice  to  that  of  our  fellow-sub- 
jects, in  declaring  one  common  and  fervent  attachment  to  a  govern- 
ment by  King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  as  established  by  the  glorious 
Revolution  of  1688. 

The  excellence  of  all  human  institutions  is  comparative  and  fleet- 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

ing:  positive  perfection,  or  unchanging  aptitude  to  its  object,  we 
know,  belongs  not  to  the  work  of  man ;  but,  when  we  view  the  prin- 
ciples of  government  which  have  recently  obtained  in  OTHER  NA- 
TIONS, and  then  look  upon  OUR  OWN,  we  exult  in  possessing,  at  this 
time,  the  wisest  and  best  poised  system  the  world  has  ever  known : — 
a  system  which  affords  EQUAL  protection  (the  only  EQUALITY  we 
look  for,  or  that,  indeed,  is  practicable)  and  impartial  justice  to  all. 

It  may  be  thought,  perhaps,  being  what  we  are,  a  private  society  of 
men — connected  by  invisible  ties — professing  secrecy — mysterious 
in  our  meetings, — stamped  by  no  Act  of  Prerogative, — and  acknow- 
ledged by  no  law,  we  assume  a  port  and  hold  a  language  upon  this 
occasion,  to  which  we  can  urge  no  legal  or  admitted  right.  We  are 
the  free  citizens,  Sire,  of  &free  state,  and  number  many  thousands  of 
our  body. — The  Heir  Apparent  of  the  empire  is  our  Chief.  We 
fraternize  for  the  purposes  of  social  intercourse,  of  mutual  assistance, 
of  charity  to  the  distressed,  and  good-will  to  ail :  and  fidelity  to  a 
trust,  reverence  to  the  magistrate,  and  obedience  to  the  laws,  are  sculp- 
tured in  capitals  upon  the  pediment  of  our  Institution.  And  let  us 
add  that,  pervading  as  we  do  every  class  of  the  community,  and 
every  walk  of  life,  and  disseminating  our  principles  wherever  we  strike 
root,  this  Address  may  be  considered  as  speaking,  in  epitome,  the 
sentiments  of  a  people. 

Having  thus  attested  our  principles,  we  have  only  to  implore  th« 
Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe,  whose  Almighty  hand  hajh  laid 
in  the  deep  the  Jirm  foundation  of  this  country's  greatness,  and  whose 
protecting  shield  hath  covered  her  amidst  the  crash  of  nations,  that  He 
will  continue  to  shelter  and  sustain  her.  May  her  sons  be  contented, 
and  her  daughters  happy  !  and  may  your  Majesty,  the  immediate  in- 
strument of  her  present  prosperity  and  power, — to  whom  unbiassed 
posterity  shall  thus  inscribe  the  column  : 

To  GEORGE,  the  Friend  of  the  People, 
and  Patron  of  the  Arts  which  brighten  and  embellish  life, 

With  your  amiable  Queen,  and  your  royal  Progeny, 

long,  long  continue  to  be  the  blessing  and  the  boast  of  a  grateful, 

happy,  and  united  people! 

Given  unanimously,  in  Grand  Lodge,  at  Freemasons'-Hall,  this 
6th  of  February,  1793. 

(Countersigned)  (Signed)  RAWDON,  A.G.M. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  G.  S.  PETER  PARKER,  D.G.M 

For  the  Grand  Master's  attention  to  the  interests  of 
the  Society,  in  presenting  the  above  loyal  and  affectionate 
Address,  the  Grand  Lodge  unanimously  voted  the  follow  - 
ing  Address  to  his  Royal  Highness : 

To  his  Royal  Highness  the  PRINCE  of  WALES,  Grand  Master  of  the 
Most  Ancient  and  Honourable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons. 

Most  Worshipful  and  Royal  Sir, 

Accustomed  as  we  have  been,  from  the  hour  when  your  name  first 

adorned  the  roll  of  our  Order,  to  the  manly  vigour  of  your  mind,  and 


OF    MASONRY.  233 

the  winning  benignity  of  your  manners,  we  did  not  look  for  any  event 
which  could  raise  you  in  our  estimation,  or  draw  you  nearer  to  our 
affections.  With  you  at  our  head,  we  have  seen  our  reputation  ad- 
vanced in  the  opinion  of  our  fellow-subjects,  our  system  expand  itself, 
and  added  honour  and  increasing  prosperity  lie  in  unclouded  prospect 
before  us.  These  things  we  ascribe  to  you,  Sir,  as  to  their  proper 
source ;  and  yet  the  silent  -homage  of  the  heart  has  been  hitherto  the 
only  return  we  have  made  you.  Such,  however,  has  been  the  gene- 
rous alacrity  with  which  your  Royal  Highness  has  offered  to  present 
to  His  Majesty  the  accompanying  tribute  of  our  fervent  loyalty  to 
him,  and  of  our  unshaken  attachment  to  that  Constitution,  which 
(happily  for  these  nations)  at  once  confirms  his  possession  and  your 
inheritance,  and  all  the  rights  of  all  the  people ;  and  such  the  sense 
we  entertain  of  the  proud  distinction  you  have  thus  conferred  upon 
our  Body,  that  it  were  inconsistent  with  our  honour,  we  think,  as 
well  as  irksome  to  our  feelings,  to  continue  longer  silent. 

Accept  then,  Royal  Sir,  our  warmest  and  most  dutiful  acknowledg- 
ments for  your  gracious  condescension  upon  this  (to  us)  most  mo- 
mentous occasion.  May  He,  by  whom  kings  govern  and  empires 
prosper,  shower  upon  your  Royal  Parent,  yourself,  and  the  whole  of 
your  illustrious  line,  his  choicest  blessings  !  May  you  all  long  exist 
in  the  hearts  of  a  brave  and  generous  people ;  and  Britain  triumphant, 
her  enemies  be  debased !  May  her  acknowledged  superiority,  re- 
turning peace,  and  the  grateful  reverence  of  rescued  nations,  per- 
petuate the  fame  of  her  virtues,  the  influence  of  her  example,  and 
the  weight  and  authority  of  her  dominion ! 

By  the  unanimous  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 

(Countersigned)  (Signed)  RAWDON,  A.G.M. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  G.S.  PETER  PARKER,  D.G.M. 

While  these  proofs  of  the  prosperity  of  the  Society  in 
England  were  universally  spread  throughout  the  kingdom, 
accounts  were  daily  transmitted  of  the  rapid  progress  of 
the  Institution  in  different  parts  of  the  world.  Many 
respectable  and  dignified  characters  had  enrolled  their 
names  among  the  Fraternity :  and  it  is  with  some  degree 
of  satisfaction,  that  among  them  we  have  to  record  the 
name  of  the  King  of  Sweden,  who  was  initiated  into  the 
Order  at  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Stockholm,  on  the  22nd  of 
March,  1793,  under  the  auspices  of  Charles  Duke  of  Su- 
derrnania,  regent  of  the  kingdom,  who  presided  as  Grand 
Master  on  the  occasion. 

The  Brethren  in  America  at  this  period  also  seem  to 
ha,ve  been  no  less  zealous  in  expressing'  a  dutiful  attach- 
ment to  their  patrons  and  protectors;  for  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  in  North 
America,  having  nearly  arranged  their  Constitutions, 
transmitted  a  copy  of  them  to  General  Washington, 
with  the  following  Address : 


234  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Address  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  the 

Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  in  North  America,  to  their  Brother 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

Whilst  the  liistorian  is  describing  the  career  of  your  glory,  and  tho 
inhabitants  of  an  extensive  empire  are  made  happy  in  your  unexam- 
pled exertions ;  whilst  some  celebrate  the  Hero,  so  distinguished  in 
liberating  United  America,  and  others  the  Patriot  who  presides  over 
her  councils ;  a  band  of  brothers,  having  always  joined  the  acclama- 
tions of  their  countrymen,  now  testify  their  respect  for  those  mildei 
virtues  which  have  ever  graced  the  man. 

Taught  by  the  precepts  of  our  Society,  that  all  its  members  stand 
upon  a  LEVEL,  we  venture  to  assume  this  station,  and  to  approach 
you  with  that  freedom  which  diminishes  our  diffidence,  without  lessen- 
ing our  respect.  Desirous  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  social  happi- 
ness, and  to  vindicate  the  ceremonies  of  their  Institution,  this  Grand 
Lodge  has  published  a  "Book  of  Constitutions,"  (and  a  copy  for  your 
acceptance  accompanies  this,)  which,  by  discovering  the  principles 
that  actuate,  will  speak  the  eulogy  of  the  Society,  though  they  fer- 
vently wish  the  conduct  of  its  members  may  prove  its  higher  com- 
mendation. 

Convinced  of  his  attachment  to  its  cause,  and  readiness  to  en- 
courage its  benevolent  designs,  they  have  taken  the  liberty  to  dedi- 
cate this  work  to  one,  the  qualities  of  whose  heart,  and  the  actions  of 
whose  life,  have  contributed  to  improve  personal  virtue,  and  extend 
throughout  the  world  the  most  endearing  cordialities ;  and  they 
humbly  hope  he  will  pardon  this  freedom,  and  accept  the  tribute  of 
their  esteem  and  homage. 

May  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe  protect  and  bless  you, 
give  you  length  of  days  and  increase  of  felicity  in  this  world,  and 
then  receive  you  to  the  harmonious  and  exalted  Society  in  Heaven  ! 

JOHN  CUTLER,  G.M. 

Boston,  JOSIAH  BARTLET,  S.G.W. 

Dec.  27,  A.L.  5792.  MUNGO  MACKAY,  J.G.W. 

To  this  Address,  General  Washington  returned  the 
following  Answer : 

Answer  to  the  GRAND  LODGE  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
Massachusetts. 

Flattering  as  it  may  be  to  the  human  mind,  and  truly  honourable 
as  it  is,  to  receive  from  our  fellow-citizens  testimonies  of  approbation 
for  exertions  to  promote  the  public  welfare ;  it  is  not  less  pleasing  to 
know,  that  the  milder  virtues  of  the  heart  are  highly  respected  by  a 
Society  whose  liberal  principles  are  founded  in  the  immutable  laws 
of  truth  and  justice. 

To  enlarge  the  sphere  of  social  happiness  is  worthy  the  benevolent 
design  of  a  Masonic  Institution ;  and  it  is  most  fervently  to  be  wish- 
ed, that  the  conduct  of  every  member  of  the  Fraternity,  as  well  as 
those  publications  that  discover  the  principles  which  actuate  them, 
may  tend  to  convince  mankind,  that  the  grand  object  of  Masonry  is, 
to  promote  the  happiness  of  the  human  race. 

While  I  beg  your  acceptance  of  my  thanks  for  the  *'  Book  of  Con- 
stitutions," which  you  have  sent  me,  and  for  the  honour  you  have 


OF    MASONRY.  230 

done  me  in  the  Dedication,  permit  me  to  assure  you,  that  I  feel  all 
those  emotions  of  gratitude  which  your  affectionate  Address  and 
cordial  wishes  are  calculated  to  inspire ;  and  I  sincerely  pray,  that 
the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  may  bless  you  here,  and  receive 
you  hereafter  into  his  immortal  temple ! 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

From  this  we  perceive  that  the  Society  of  Freemasons 
in  America  continued  to  flourish  under  the  auspices  of 
General  Washington,  who  continued  his  patronage  to  the 
Lodges  till  his  death.  This  great  man,  who  displayed  in 
his  own  person  the  rare  combination  of  military  and  pa- 
cific talents,  of  general  and  statesman,  and  evinced  in 
private  life  the  most  endearing  manners  and  unblemished 
probity,  died  at  his  seat  at  Mount  Vernon,  in  Virginia, 
of  an  inflammation  in  his  throat,  on  the  14th  of  Decent 
ber,  1799.  On  the  18th,  his  remains  were  consigned  to 
the  tomb  with  the  most  solemn  funeral  pomp.  The 
procession  from  Mount  Vernon  was  formed  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  moved  to  the  place  of  his 
interment  in  the  following  order : 

Minute  guns  from  a  vessel  in  the  river  announced  the  commence- 
ment of  the  ceremony. 
Cavalry,  Infantry,  and  Guards,  marohed  with  arms  reversed. 

Music — Clergy. 

The  General's  horse,  with  his  saddle,  holsters,  and  pistols. 
The  Corpse,  supported  by  Colonels  Little,  Marstelle,  Gilpin,  Payne, 

Ramsay,  and  Simms,  as  pall-bearers. 
At  the  head  of  the  coffin  was  inscribed,  Surge  ad  judicium ; 

About  the  middle,   Gloria  Deo; 
And  on  the  silver  plate,  "  General  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  departed 

this  life  on  the  Ikth  of  December,  1799,  ^Etatis  68." 

The  Mourners,  Masonic  Brethren,  and  Citizens,  closed  the 

procession. 

Having  arrived  at-  the  bottom  of  the  elevated  lawn 
on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  the  family  vault  is 
placed,  the  cavalry  halted,  and  the  infantry  marched  toward 
the  Mount  and  formed  their  lines.  The  clergy,  Masonic 
Brethren,  and  citizens,  then  descended  into  the  vault; 
when  the  funeral  service  was  performed.  After  which 
three  general  discharges  were  given  by  the  infantry, 
while  the  cavalry  and  eleven  pieces  of  artillery,  which 
lined  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  at  the  back  of  the  vault, 
paid  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  their  venerable  de- 
parted hero,  and  the  firing  was  repeated  from  the  vessel 
in  the  river. 


236  ILLUSTRATIONS 

At  a  meeting  of  the  house  of  representatives  in  Phila- 
delphia, on  the  day  following  this  ceremony,  it  was 
voted  that  a  committee  should  be  appointed,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  one  from  the  senate,  to  consider  the  most 
suitable  means  of  paying  honour  to  the  memory  of  this 
great  man,  who  ranked  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and 
first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen ;  it  was  also  re- 
solved, that  the  house  should  wait  on  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  to  express  their  condolence  on  the 
mournful  event ;  that  the  speaker's  chair  should  be 
covered  with  black,  and  that  all  the  members  and  offi- 
cers of  the  house  should  appear  in  deep  mourning  during 
the  session.  Thus  were  demonstrated  the  warmest  testi- 
monies of  affection  of  a  grateful  people,  to  the  memory 
of  their  truly  benevolent  chief,  who  justly  merited  the 
esteem  of  his  country,  his  brethren,  and  his  friends. 

Under  the  auspices  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  and  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  the  Earl  of 
Moira,  the  progress  of  the  Society  in  England  far  exceed- 
ed at  this  time  that  of  any  former  period.  The  Lodges 
not  only  considerably  increased  in  numbers  and  conse- 
quence, but  were  in  general  better  regulated;  and,  the 
principles  of  the  Institution  being  more  clearly  under- 
stood, the  Brethren,  both  in  town  and  country,  vied  with 
each  other  in  promoting  the  useful  purposes  of  the 
Society. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1793,  the  Lodges  in  the 
county  of  Durham  made  a  grand  procession  through  the 
town  of  Sunderland,  on  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  the 
bridge  over  the  river  Wear,  which  was  afterwards  opened 
on  the  9th  of  August,  1796,  in  the  presence  of  his  Royal 
Highness  Prince  William  of  Gloucester,  the  magistrates, 
a  numerous  assemblage  of  Masons,  and  a  vast  concourse 
of  spectators.  On  this  occasion,  a  grand  triumphal  arch 
decorated  with  flowers,  was  raised,  through  which  the 
procession  passed,  and  proceeded  along  the  bridge,  to 
the  north  side  of  the  river,  up  to  the  limekilns,  and 
returned  by  the  low  road  through  the  dry  arch  of  the 
bridge  to  the  Pan  Ferry,  thence  to  the  centre  of  the 
bridge,  where  the  Lodge  was  formed,  and  an  oration 
delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Nesfield.  The  whole  ceremony 
was  conducted  under  the  patronage  of  Rowland  Burdon, 
Esq.,  M.  P.,  Provincial  Grand  Master  for  the  county. 


OF    MASONRY.  237 

The  Lincoln  militia  attended,  and  fired  three  volleys  on 
the  occasion. 

The  Brethren  then  proceeded  to  church,  where  an 
appropriate  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brews- 
ter.  From  church  the  procession  was  resumed  to  the 
Assembly-room,  where  the  evening  was  concluded  with 
the  greatest  harmony. 

On  Monday,  the  25th  of  November,  1793,  the  Prince 
of  Wales  laid"  the  first  stone  of  the  New  Chapel  at  Bright- 
helmstone.  His  Royal  Highness  was  accompanied  from 
the  Pavilion  to  the  appropriated  place  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hudson,  the  vicar,  Mr.  Saunders,  &c.  On  coming  to  the 
ground,  Mr.  Saunders  addressed  his  Royal  Highness,  and 
said,  that,  as  constructor  of  the  building,  the  high  honour 
was  allotted  to  him  of  pointing  out  to  the  Prince  the 
situation  where  the  stone  was  intended  to  be  placed  ;  and 
he  respectfully  requested  that,  as  Grand  Master  of  the 
Masons,  he  would  be  pleased  to  signify  whether  or  not 
it  met  with  his  approbation.  On  receiving  assurance 
that  it  did,  the  stone,  with  the  following  inscription,  was 
laid  in  due  form : — 

"  This  stone  was  laid  by  his  Royal  Highness  GEORGE 
PRINCE  of  WALES,  November  25,  1793." 

On  Mr.  Saunders  covering  it  with  a  plate  of  metal,  he 
desired  leave  to  say,  That  however  late  the  period  might 
be  before  it  wTas  again  exposed  to  the  face  of  day,  arid  he 
sincerely  wished  that  it  might  be  a  very  distant  one,  he 
hoped  that  the  descendants  of  his  Royal  Highness's 
august  family  would  be  found,  as  now,  happily  governing 
a  happy  people. 

Mr.  Hudson  then  respectfully  addressed  the  Prince, 
and  desired  permission  to  return  his  most  sincere  and 
grateful  thanks  to  his  Royal  Highness  for  the  honour  he 
had  that  day  done,  not  only  to  him  in  particular  as  pro- 
prietor, but  to  the  town  at  large ;  and  he  hoped  that  God 
would  give  his  blessing  to  the  undertaking  thus  begun, 
and  long  preserve  his  Royal  Highness,  their  Majesties, 
and  every  branch  of  the  royal  family,  to  superintend  our 
invaluable,  unequalled,  and  long-envied  Constitution  in 
church  and  state. 

The  day  proved  fine,  and  the  acclamations  of  the  sur- 
rounding crowd  showed  how  much  they  were  gratified 


238  ILLUSTRATIONS 

with  such  an  instance  of  goodness  in  the  Prince,  who,  at 
the  same  time,  was  both  a  resident  in,  and  a  protector  of, 
their  town  and  liberties. 

The  Prince  ordered  a  handsome  distribution  to  the 
workmen,  &c.  The  promenade  gardens  were  laid  open, 
and  the  company  was  entertained  with  refreshments.  A 
party  of  gentlemen  dined  at  the  Castle,  and  some  lines 
were  composed  and  sung  on  the  occasion. 

Among  the  masonic  occurrences  of  this  year,  it  may  be 
proper  to  mention  the  publication  of  a  periodical  Mis- 
cellany, entitled,  The  Freemasons'  Magazine ;  or  General 
and  Complete  Library :  the  first  number  of  which  appear- 
ed in  June,  1793,  and  a  number  was  continued  to  be 
published  monthly  till  the  end  of  December,  1798,  when 
its  title  was  changed.  Independent  of  this  Magazine 
being  a  general  repository  for  every  thing  curious  and 
important  in  Masonry,  it  contained  a  choice  selection  of 
miscellaneous  and  literary  articles,  well  calculated  for  the 
purpose  of  general  instruction  and  improvement,  and  was 
for  some  time  honoured  with  the  sanction  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  1793,  the  Shakspeare  'Lodge  at 
Stratford  on  Avon  was  opened,  and  dedicated  in  solemn 
form,  in  the  presence  of  a  numerous  assembly  of  Brethren 
from  different  Lodges.  The  ceremony  was  conducted 
with  the  greatest  order  and  regularity,  under  the  direction 
of  Mr.  James  Timmins,  D.  P.  G.  M.  for  the  County  of 
Warwick. 

On  the  28th  of  July,  1794,  the  Royal  Brunswick  Lodge 
at  Sheffield  was  constituted  in  due  form.  The  Brethren 
made  a  very  elegant  procession  to  St.  James's  «hurch, 
where  an  excellent  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
Brother  Chadwick :  after  which  the  procession  was 
resumed  to  the  Lodge  ;  when  the  ceremony  of  dedication 
took  place.  Several  anthems  and  psalms  suited  to  the 
occasion  were  sung,  and  the  whole  was  concluded  with 
a  liberal  subscription  to  the  poor  girls'  Charity  School. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1794,  the  Lodge  of  Apollo  at 
Alcester  was  constituted  in  due  form,  in  the  presence  of 
121  Brethren.  At  ten  in  the  morning,  a  procession  was 
made  to  the  church,  where  a  sermon  was  preached  before 
the  Lodge  by  the  Rev.  Brother  Green.  After  which  the 
Brethren  returned  to  the  Hall ;  when  the  ceremonies  of 


OF    MASONRY.  239 

consecration  and   dedication  took  place,  according  to 

ancient  usage. 

The  Prince  of  Wales's  marriage  with  the  Princess  Caro- 
line of  Brunswick  having  taken  place  on  the  8th  of  April, 
1795,  the  Grand  Lodge  on  the  15th  of  that  month  unani- 
mously voted  the  following  Address  to  his  Royal  Highness 
on  the  occasion  : — 

To  his  Royal  Highness  the  PRINCE  of  WALES,  Grand  Master  of  th 
most  Ancient  and  Honourable  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
under  the  Constitution  of  England. 

Most  Worshipful  and  Royal  Grand  Master : — 

Upon  an  event  so  important  to  your  own  happiness,  and  to  the 
interests  of  the  British  empire,  as  the  late  nuptials  of  your  Royal 
Highness,  we  feel  ourselves  peculiarly  bound  to  testify  our  joy,  and 
to  offer  our  humble  congratulations. 

To  affect  a  degree  of  gratification  superior  to  that  professed  by 
others,  when  all  his  Majesty's  subjects  exhibit  such  heartfelt  satisfac- 
tion at  the  union  which  you  have  formed,  would,  perhaps,  be  in  us  an 
undue  pretension ;  we  cannot,  however,  but  be  proudly  conscious, 
Sir,  that  we  possess  a  title  beyond  what  any  other  class  of  men  can 
advance,  to  approach  you  upon  an  occasion  like  the  present  with  a 
tender  of  our  particular  duty.  Wftn  your  Royal  Highness  deigned 
so  far  to  honour  the  Craft  as  to  accept  the  trust  of  presiding  over  us, 
the  condescension  not  only  authorized  but  demanded  from  all  and 
each  of  us  a  peculiar  sensibility  to  whatever  might  concern  your 
welfare  ;  and  the  ties  of  brotherhood,  with  which  you  invested  your- 
self in  becoming  one  of  our  number,  entitle  us  to  express,  without 
fear  of  incurring  any  charge  of  presumption,  the  satisfaction  we  feel 
in  contemplating  such  an  accession  to  the  prospects  of  the  nation, 
and  to  those  of  your  own  felicity.  That  the  interests  of  your  Royal 
Highness  and  those  of  the  British  people  may  ever  continue  as  strictly 
united  as  we  feel  them  in  this  most  auspicious  occurrence,  is  the 
warmest  wish,  and,  at  the  same  time,  the  confident  trust,  of  those 
who  hold  it  the  highest  honour  to  have  your  name  enrolled  in  the 
records  of  their  Institution. 

To  the  obligations  which  the  Brethren  already  owe  to  you,  Sir,  it 
will  be  a  material  addition,  if  you  will  render  acceptable  to  your  royal 
Consort  the  humble  homage  of  our  veneration,  and  of  our  prayers 
for  every  possible  blessing  upon  your  union. 

By  the  unanimous  order  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 

(Signed)  MOIRA,  A.  G.  M. 

(Countersigned)  (L.  S.) 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  G.  S. 

The  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Moira  having,  at  the  request 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  presented  the  above  Address  to  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  his  Royal  Highness  was  graciously 
pleased  to  return  the  following  answer : — 

The  Grand  Master  has  received  with  great  satisfaction  the  Address 
of  the  Craft ;  which  he  regards  as  not  indicating  solely  their  senti- 


240  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ments  towards  him,  but  as  also  repeating  those  declarations  of  devotion 
to  their  Sovereign  and  attachment  to  the  House  of  Brunswick,  here- 
tofore so  becomingly  expressed  by  them. 

He  has  had  peculiar  pleasure  in  explaining  to  the  Princess  of 
Wales  their  loyal  congratulations ;  and  he  desires  to  convey  to  the 
Brethren  the  sincere  thanks  of  the  Princess  for  their  generous 
wishes. 

A  grand  feast  was  held  at  Freemasons'-Hall  on  the  13th 
of  May,  1795,  the  Grand  Master  in  the  chair.  His  Royal 
Highness  was  accompanied  by  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  and 
Prince  William  of  Gloucester,  who  had  been  initiated  at 
an  occasional  Lodge  convened  for  the  purpose  on  the 
preceding  evening.  Five  hundred  Brethren  were  also 
present  at  this  feast.  Happiness  was  visible  in  every 
countenance,  and  the  benevolent  principles  of  Masonry 
cheered  the  heart.  His  Royal  Highness  thanked  the 
Brethren  for  the  many  instances  he  had  received  of  their 
attachment,  and  ibr  the  repeated  honours  they  had  con- 
ferred on  him.  After  expressing  his  warmest  wishes  for 
the  prosperity  of  the  Soci^y,  he  concluded  with  a  hand- 
some compliment  to  the  Acting  Grand  Master,  the  Earl 
of  Moira,  whom  he  styled  "  The  man  of  his  heart,  and 
the  friend  he  admired  ;"  and  sincerely  hoped  that  he  might 
long  live  to  superintend  the  government  of  the  Craft,  and 
extend  the  principles  of  the  Art. 


SECT.  XIII. 

The  History  of  Masonry  from  the  Grand  Feast  in  1795  to 
the  end  of  the  Year  1800. 

No  remarkable  event  took  place  in  the  Society  from 
the  festival  in  1795,  till  the  year  1797.  The  greatest 
harmony  prevailed  among  the  Brethren  during  the  whole 
period,  and  many  valuable  additions  were  made  to  the 
list  of  Lodges.  The  general  contributions  to  the  chari- 
table funds  were  likewise  considerably  extended ;  and 
the  annual  reports  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Masters,  in 
their  respective  districts,  announced  the  prosperity  of  the 
Craft. 

The  only  circumstance  which  tended  to  damp  the 
ardour  of  the  Brethren  for  the  propagation  of  the  Art, 
either  at  home  or  abroad,  was  the  publication  of  some 


OF    MASONRY.  241 

tracts,  which  stated  that  a  new  sect  of  philosophers  had 
arisen  in  Germany  and  France,  who  had  affiliated  them- 
selves to  the  Society  of  Masons,  and  had,  under  that 
sanction,  established  Lodges,  for  the  more  extended  dis- 
semination of  the  principles  of  their  new  theory.  To 
these  philosophers  was  attributed  the  design  of  destroying 
Christianity,"  and  subverting  all  the  regular  governments 
of  Europe.  The  degrees  of  Masonry  were  understood 
to  be  preparatory  steps  to  this  new  establishment,  and 
from  that  Society  were  selected  the  principal  members 
of  which  this  sect  was  composed.  In  their  occult 
Lodges,  as  they  were  termed,  were  inculcated  the  seeds 
of  those  dangerous  principles  which  had  brought  about 
the  French  revolution,  and  produced  all  the  evils  which 
had  resulted  from  it. 

The  circulation  of  these  publications  excited  a  general 
alarm,  and  for  some  time  checked  the  progress  of  the 
Society  in  Europe ;  till,  the  mystery  being  unveiled,  it 
was  found,  that  the  constitutions  of  Masonry  did  not 
warrant  the  proceedings  of  this  new  system:  and  that, 
therefore,  new  degrees  had  been  instituted  under  the 
same  appellation,  to  carry  into  effect  the  purposes  of 
these  new  associates.  The  Masons  of  this  country,  and 
all  the  Lodges  under  the  English  constitution,  were  fully 
exempted  from  any  share  in  the  general  censure ;  but,  as 
the  Society  was  much  injured  by  these  publications,  a 
few  remarks  on  their  contents  may  not  be  unacceptable 
to  the  reader. 

The  first  tract  which  excited  alarm  was  an  octavo 
volume,  entitled  "The  Life  of  M.  Zimmerman,  first 
Physician  to  the  King  of  England  at  Hanover.  By  Dr. 
Tissot."  From  this  work  it  appears,  that  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  incidents  of  Zimmerman's  life  was  a 
summons  which  he  received  from  the  great  Frederick, 
King  of  Prussia,  to  attend  him  in  his  last  illness  in  1786. 
This  opportunity  the  doctor  improved,  to  enjoy  a  confi- 
dential intercourse  with  that  illustrious  character,  from 
which  he  derived  the  materials  of  an  interesting  narra- 

99  They  began  the  system  by  expunging  every  vestige  of  Christi- 
anity from  their  lectures,  and  excluding  the  New  Testament  alto- 
gether from  the  Lodges.  One  of  their  fundamental  rules  was  to  the 
following  effect : — kt  The  Bible  is  to  be  of  the  Hebrew  Text,  and  the 
New  Testament  is  not  to  be  bound  up  with  '/." — EDITOR. 
12 


242  ILLUSTRATIONS 

tive,  that  he  afterwards  published.  The  partiality  of 
this  prince  in  favour  of  Zimmerman  disposed  him  to  a 
reciprocal  good  opinion  of  that  monarch,  and  in  1788  he 
published  "A  Defence  of  Frederick  the  Great  against 
the  Count  de  Mirabeau;"  which  was  followed,  in  1790, 
by  "  Fragments  on  Frederick  the  Great,"  in  3  vols. 
12mo.  The  publications  of  Zimmerman  relative  to  this 
king  gave  offence  to  some  individuals  and  subjected  him 
to  many  severe  criticisms,  which  he  felt  with  more  sensi- 
bility than  accorded  with  his  peace  of  mind.  The  reli- 
gious and  political  opinions  which  he  had  imbibed  in  his 
latter  years,  were  in  wide  contradiction  to  the  principles 
which  had  so  generally  spread  over  Europe,  and  which 
operated  as  perpetual  fuel  to  the  irritability  of  his  nerv- 
ous system.  About  this  time  the  rise  of  the  Society  of 
the  illuminati  in  Germany,  who  were  said  to  have  coa- 
lesced with  the  Freemasons,  excited  a  violent  commotion 
among  men  of  letters  and  reflection.  The  Society  was 
supposed  to  have  in  view  nothing  less  than  the  abolition 
of  Christianity,  and  the  subversion  of  all  constituted 
authorities.  Its  partizans  expected  from  it  the  most 
beneficial  reforms  of  every  kind;  and  its  opponents 
dreaded  from  it  every  mischief  that  could  happen  to 
mankind.  Zimmerman,  who  is  represented  to  have  beei* 
a  hunter  of  sects,  was  among  the  first  who  took  alarm  at 
this  formidable  association,  and  stepped  forth  to  oppose 
its  progress.  His  regard  for  religion,  and  social  order, 
led  him  to  see  in  the  most  obnoxious  light  the  pernicious 
principles  of  these  new  philosophers.  Determined, 
therefore,  to  suppress  the  influence  of  their  system,  he 
painted  in  the  strongest  colouring  all  the  maxims  of  this 
new  sect,  and  addressed  a  memorial  to  the  Emperor 
Leopold  on  the  subject,  with  a  view  to  check  their 
further  progress.  The  emperor  very  graciously  received 
this  memorial,  and  returned  him  an  answer  in  his  own 
1  land-writing,  accompanied  with  a  splendid  present.100 
Leopold  seemed  to  be  well-inclined  to  use  the  decisive 
interference  of  civil  authority  on  this  occasion,  and  would 
probably  have  had  recourse  to  violent  measures  against 
the  Illuminati,  had  not  the  death  of  Zimmerman  pre- 
vented it. 

***  This  was  a  locket,  adorned  with  diamonds  and  the  emperor's 
cypher. 


OF    MASONRY.  243 

The  number  of  the  affiliated  members  of  this  Society, 
Zimmerman  says,  increased  daily,  chiefly  by  the  assiduity 
of  Baron  de  Knigge,  who,  in  1782,  first  suggested  the 
idea  of  illuminating  the  Society  of  Freemasons,  and  who 
succeeded  in  that  object,  from  Hanover  to  Copenhagen 
on  one  hand,  and  to  Naples  on  the  other.  In  1788,  the 
Brotherhood,  he  observes,  were  unmasked,  and  driven 
out  of  Bavaria ;  and  in  1791  their  papers  were  seized  at 
Munich  and  printed,  but  no  discovery  of  importance  was 
made.101 

Previous  to  the  death  of  Zimmerman,  in  conjunction 
with  M.  Hoffmann  of  Vienna,  he  began  a  periodical  work 
on  the  old  principles.  In  this  work  all  his  former  zeal 
was  displayed,  and  the  new  philosophers  were  attacked 

01  Of  this  Society  we  have  the  following  account  in  this  tract : — 
"Whether  this  sect  be  the  same  with  that  of  the  Freemasons,  or 
the  Jesuits,  both  of  which  suppositions  are  improbable,  is  uncertain ; 
but   in    1774   or   1775,   a  Society  was    undoubtedly   established   in 
Bavaria,  of  which  a  celebrated   Professor  at  Ingoldstadt  has  been 
regarded  as  the  founder.     This  Society,  under  pretext  of  consulting 
the  happiness  of  the  people,  and  supposing  that  happiness  to  be 
incompatible  with  every  species  of  religious  and  civil  establishment, 
at  present  existing,  said  with  one  voice,  Let  us  destroy  them  all,  and 
raze  their  very  foundations.     The  secret  order  of  the  Illuminati  in- 
. eluded  among  its  mysterious  principles,  at  present  exposed  to  the 
whole  world,  the  whole  of  the  doctrines  which  the  Jacobins  of  Paris 
have  since  put  in  practice ;  and  it  has  been  proved,  by  the  most  irre- 
fragable documents,  that  they  maintained  an  intimate  correspondence 
together  before  the  French  revolution.    The  destruction  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  and  the  subversion  of  every  throne  and  of  all  govern- 
ments have  been  their  aim  ever  since  the  year  1776.     It  was  well 
understood,  by  the  new  associates  of  this  Order,  that  the  magic 
words,  the  happiness  of  the  people,  were  the  surest  means  to  recruit 
their  number  with  ease,  and  by  which,  in  fact,  the  recruits  became 
so  numerous  and  well  disciplined.     Young  men  were  chiefly  pitched 
upon,  who,  not  having  yet  formed  a  strong  attachment  to  any  par- 
ticular opinion,  were  the  more  easily  led  away  to  embrace  whatever 
was  offered  to  them ;  and  men  of  literary  talents,  whom  it  is  important 
to  secure  when  the  propagation  of  any  new  opinion  is  in  agitation. 
When  once  a  person  was  enlisted,  and  fully  penetrated  with  the 
enticing  words,  **  The  happiness  of  the  people — let  us  labour  to  pro- 
cure the  happiness  of  the  people,"  he  became  impatient  to  know  the 
obstacles  which  were  in  the  way  of  this  purpose,  and  the  means  to 
be  made  use  of  to  remove  them ;  these  were  therefore  offered  to  his 
view  in  succession. 

'•  The  Order  has  five  degrees :  in  the  lower,  the  mysteries  are  not 
unveiled;  they  are  only  preparatory,  on  which  the  minds  of  the 
noviciates  are  founded  and  prepared ;  then,  by  degrees,  those  who 
are  found  worthy  are  initiated  into  the  higher  ranks." 


244  ILLUSTRATIONS 

with  vehemence.  This  occasioned  a  violent  repulse  on 
their  part ;  and  the  writers  of  the  Bibliotheque  Universelle, 
or  Universal  Library,  as  well  as  some  of  the  best  journal- 
ists, bore  a  considerable  share  in  the  contest  in  opposition 
to  Zimmerman  and  Hoffmann  ;  till  the  former  got  him- 
self embroiled  in  a  court  of  law,  by  a  publication  in  the 
journal,  entitled  "The  Baron  de  Knigge  unmasked,  as 
an  Illuminati,  Democrat,  and  Seducer  of  the  People." 
This  charge  was  founded  on  a  work  which  was  not 
openly  avowed  by  the  baron,  who  commenced  a  suit 
against  Zimmerman  on  this  account  as  libeller;  in  which 
the  doctor,  being  unable  to  exculpate  himself,  was  cast. 
This  state  of  warfare  proved  very  unfriendly  to  the 
doctor's  nerves,  and  sensibly  affected  his  mind,  which 
had  been  much  agitated  from  a  personal  fear  of  the 
approach  of  the  French  towards  Hanover  in  1794.  The 
idea  of  his  becoming  a  poor  emigrant  perpetually  haunted 
him;  nor  could  the  negotiations  which  afterwards  took 
place,  and  secured  that  country,  restore  him  to  tranquil- 
lity. He  used  various  remedies  to  overcome  his  appre- 
hensions, and  even  took  a  journey  for  that  purpose ;  but 
it  was  fruitless.  On  his  return  home,  he  entered  his 
labitation  with  the  same  idea  with  which  he  had  left  it, 
persuaded  that  he  saw  it  pillaged,  and  fancied  that  he 
was  entirely  ruined.  This  notion  so  strongly  impressed 
his  mind,  that,  together  with  his  abstinence  from  food, 
for  fear  of  poverty,  he  wore  away  to  a  skeleton,  became 
decrepit,  and  at  last  died  on  the  7th  of  October,  1795, 
at  the  age  of  67. 

The  next  tract  which  deserves  notice  is  a  translation102 
of  "  The  Memoirs  of  Jacobinism  in  France,"  in  4  vols. 
8vo.,  by  the  Abbe  Barruel.  In  this  work  the  Abbe 
endeavours  to  show,  that  there  existed  on  tie  continent, 
long  before  the  French  revolution,  a  threefold  conspiracy 
to  effect  the  ruin  of  the  altar,  the  throne,  and  all  social 
order.  The  first  conspiracy  was  formed  by  a  sect  of 
philosophers,  who  aimed  to  destroy  the  altars  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  .his  Gospel:  the  second  were  the  sophists  of 
rebellion,  who  conspired  against  the  thrones  of  kings, 
and  who  had  affiliated  themselves  to  the  Society  of  Free- 
masons, engrafting  on  that  institution  the  secrets  of  their 

1W  By  the  Hon.  Robert  Clifford. 


OF    MASONRY.  245 

occult  lodges ;  and  the  third  passed  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  llluminati  or  enlightened,  who  formed  an  union 
with  the  two  former,  and  aimed  at  the  subversion  of  all 
social  order,  property,  and  science.  This  coalition,  the 
Abbe  observes,  gave  rise  to  the  club  of  Jacobins  in 
France,  which  was  so  denominated  from  holding  their 
meetings  in  a  convent  of  the  order  of  Jacobins  that  they 
had  seized  in  Paris. 

Of  these  three  conspiracies,  anti-christian,  anti-monar- 
chical, and  anti-social,  very  unfortunately  for  the  Abbe, 
each  successive  one  has  been  brought  forward  in  his  sub- 
sequent volumes  with  diminished  evidence  and  decreasing 
plausibility.  To  expose  to  view  the  unknown  chieftains 
and  agents  of  his  conspiracies,  he  has  been  obliged  to 
describe  the  symbols  and  reveal  the  secrets  of  an  invisible 
Society  wholly  unconnected  with  them,  and  to  represent 
the  Lodges  of  Freemasons  as  schools  of  infidelity  and 
insurrection,  whence  all  these  conspiracies  have  origina- 
ted.103 Although  he  makes  France  the  theatre  for  their 

103  Notwithstanding  this  serious  attack  on  the  Freemasons,  the 
Abbe  is  candid  enough  to  admit,  that  the  occult  lodges  of  the  lllu- 
minati are  unknown  in  England,  and  that  the  English  Freemasons 
are  not  implicated  in  the  charge  which  he  has  made.  With  his  re- 
marks, therefore,  on  this  subject,  we  shall  conclude  our  observations 
on  the  Memoirs  of  Jacobinism  : — 

"England,  in  particular,"  he  says,  "is  full  of  those  upright  men, 
who,  excellent  citizens,  and  of  all  stations,  are  proud  of  being 
Masons;  and  who  may  be  distinguished  from  the  others  by  ties 
which  only  appear  to  unite  them  more  closely  in  the  bonds  of  charity 
and  fraternal  affection.  It  is  not  the  fear  of  offending  a  nation  in 
which  I  have  found  an  asylum,  that  has  suggested  this  exception. 
Gratitude,  on  the  contrary,  would  silence  every  vain  terror,  and  I 
should  be  seen  exclaiming,  in  the  very  streets  of  London,  that 
England  was  lost,  that  it  could  not  escape  the  French  ^Revolution,  if 
its  Freemason  Lodges  were  similar  to  those  of  which  I  am  about  to 
treat.  I  would  say  more,  that  Christianity  and  all  government  would 
have  long  been  at  an  end  in  England,  if  it  could  be  even  supposed 
that  her  Masons  were  initiated  into  the  last  mysteries  of  the  sect. 
Long  since  have  their  Lodges  been  sufficiently  numerous  to  execute 
such  a  design,  had  the  English  Masons  adopted  either  the  means,  or 
the  plans  and  plots,  of  the  occult  lodges. 

"This  argument  alone  might  suffice  to  except  the  English  Masons 
in  general  from  what  I  have  to  say  of  the  sect.  But  there  exist 
many  passages  in  the  history  of  Masonry  which  necessitate  this  ex- 
ception. The  following  appears  convincing :  At  the  time  when  the 
Illuminees  of  Germany,  the  most  detestable  of  the  Jacobin  crew, 
were  seeking  to  strengthen  their  party  by  that  of  Masonry,  they 
affected  a  sovereign  contempt  for  the  English  Lodges." 


246  ILLUSTRATIONS 

exhibition,  he  is  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  a  strange 
language  and  to  a  Bavarian  cloister  for  their  origin  ;  and 
from  a  want  of  facts,  to  supply,  from  his  own  imagina- 
tion, by  ingenious  interpretations,  the  lessons  which  he 
can  nowhere  else  discover. 

The  Abbe's  information  with  respect  to  the  Illuminati 
may,  perhaps,  be  just,  in  so  far  as  respects  the  establish- 
ment of  that  sect,  and  their  deviation  from  the  English 
Lodges,  but  between  the  genuine  Masons  of  Germany  and 
their  Brethren  in  England  there  has  long  subsisted  the 
most  friendly  intercourse;  and  it  cannot  otherwise  be,  in 
any  country  where  Masonry  is  conducted  according  to 
the  pure  principles  of  the  institution. 

The  next  publication  which  claims  our  attention  is,  a 
work  entitled,  •*  Proofs  of  a  Conspiracy  against  all  the 
Religions  and  Governments  of  Europe,  carried  on  in  the 
Secret  Meetings  of  Freemasons,  Illuminati,  arid  Reading 
Societies.  By  John  Robison,  M.  A.,  Professor  of  Natural 
Philosophy,  and  Secretary  to  the  Royal  Society  of  Edin- 
burgh." This  work,  like  the  former,  aims  at  proving 
that  a  secret  association  had  been  formed,  and  for  many 
years  carried  on,  for  rooting  out  all  the  religious  estab- 
lishments, and  overturning  all  the  existing  governments 
of  Europe:  and  that  this  association  had  employed,  as 
its  chief  instruments,  the  Lodges  of  Freemasons,  who 
were  under  the  direction  of  unknown  superiors,  and 
whose  emissaries  were  everywhere  busy  to  complete  the 
scheme.  Of  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  society  in 
France  he  affects  to  give  an  account,  which  agrees  in  the 
main  with  that  of  the  Abbe  Barruel,  by  alledging  that 
several  of  its  most  ingenious  and  indefatigable  members 
were  active  Freemasons,  who  spread  their  infectious 
principles  in  most  of  the  Freemasons'  Lodges  in  Europe. 
He  then  enters  into  an.  historical  detail  of  the  origin  of 
the  Scotch  degrees,  and  gives  them  a  consequence  to 
which  I  hope  they  are  not  entitled,  as  belonging  to  an 
institution  formed  by  craft,  founded  in  the  deepest 
motives,  and  capable  of  effecting  the  most  important 
events. 

It  is  well  known,  I  believe,  to  the  Masons  of  this 
country,  that  some  men  of  warm  and  enthusiastic 
imaginations  have  been  disposed,  within  these  few  years, 
to  amplify  parts  of  the  Institution  of  Freemasonry ;  and 


OF    MASONRY.  247 

in  their  supposed  improvements  to  have  elevated  their 
discoveries  into  new  degrees ;  to  which  they  have  added 
ceremonies,  rituals,  and  dresses,  ill-suited  to  the  native 
simplicity  of  the  Order  of  Masonry  as  it  was  originally 
practised  in  this  country.  But  in  all  these  degrees, 
though  probably  deserving  reprehension  as  improper 
innovations  on  the  original  system  of  Masonry,  I  can 
never  believe  that  they  have  either  proceeded  from  bad 
motives,  or  could  be  viewed  in  any  other  light  than  as 
innocent  and  inoffensive  amusements.  Thus  much  I  can 
aver,  that  all  the  degrees  of  Masonry  practised  in  England 
under  the  English  Constitution,  are  pure  and  genuine, 
and  that  no  part  of  the  system  established  among  us  is 
injurious  either  to  Church  or  State.104 

In  order  to  refute,  however,  the  flimsy  proofs  which 
are  produced  by  the  learned  Professor,  I  cannot  do  better 
than  use  the  language  of  an  able  writer,105  who  has 
entered  into  a  serious  investigation  of  them  in  a  monthly 
miscellany  106  If  the  principles  adopted  by  foreign 
Masons  be  such  (says  he)  as  the  Professor  represents, 
whence  is  it  that  so  many  loyal  and  pious  members  of 
the  Fraternity  continue  their  patronage  of  the  Society, 
and  are  still  ignorant  of  the  real  quality  of  our  princi- 
ples? Is  it  that  Masonry  is  one  thing  on  the  Continent, 
and  another  in  England  ?  This  cannot  be ;  for  Masonry 
is  a  universal  establishment,  and  a  mutual  communication 
and  agreement  has  long  subsisted  between  the  British 
and  Foreign  Lodges.  Some  of  the  wisest  and  most 
upright  English  Masons  have  visited  their  Brethren 
abroad,  and  have  not  been  able  to  discover  the  wonderful 
disparity,  or  been  shocked  at  the  abominable  practices 
said  to  be  carried  on  among  them.  Even  Mr.  Kobison 
himself  saw  nothing  of  all  this  mischievous  system,  while 
he  was  in  the  closest  habits  of  intimacy  with  the  foreign 
Masons;  and- this  surely  must  be  some  proof  that  Mason- 
ry, as  it  was  then  practised,  had  not  the  tendency  which 
he  has  since  been  pleased  to  attribute  to  it.  All  the 
conspiracy,  therefore,  which  he  pretends  to  have  dis- 

104  In  the  "  Masonic  Miscellanies,"  edit.  1811,  will  be  found  an  Essay 
on  this  subject,  by  STEPHEN  JONES,  p.  195  j  and  another,  (p.  221,)  by 
Mr.  PRESTON. 

103  Dr.Watkins. 

106  See  Freemasons'  Magazine,  vol.  x.,  p.  35. 


248  ILLUSTRATIONS 

covered,  if  it  ever  did  exist,  must  be  charged  to  other 
causes.  It  must  strike  the  mind  with  astonishment,  that 
an  institution  like  Masonry,  organized  and  reduced  to  a 
complete  system,  should  suddenly  be  changed  from  a 
harmless  and  innocent  appearance,  to  one  the  most  fero- 
cious and  wicked;  and  that,  from  being  in  the  highest 
degree  friendly  to  order  and  religion,  it  should  all  at  once 
become  the  most  powerful  and  inveterate  enemy  to  both. 
Whoever  considers  this,  and  attends  to  the  great  numbers 
of  eminent  characters  who  continue  to  give  the  Art  their 
countenance,  and  to  patronize  our  assemblies,  and  who- 
ever contrasts  with  them  the  names  of  the  persons 
brought  forward  as  the  agitators  of  this  conspiracy,  will 
be  led,  not  only  to  question  the  truth  of  the  assertions, 
but  allow  that  both  the  Professor  and  the  Abbe  have 
gone  too  wide  in  their  charges,  and  suffered  a  heated 
imagination  to  teem  with  prejudices  that  have  no  founda- 
tion in  truth. 

Some  foreign  Masons  may  probably  have  given  in  to 
the  modern  wretched  philosophy ;  and,  more  effectually 
to  propagate  their  tenets  with  safety,  may  have  erected 
a  false  banner  under  the  appellation  of  Masonry,  to  entrap 
the  unwary;  but  shall  we,  on  that  account,  attribute  to 
the  institution  of  Freemasonry  the  dreadful  acts  of  those 
individuals,  or  the  baneful  consequences  of  their  con- 
spiracies? Certainly  not;  for,  in  opposition  to  all  the 
Professor's  assertions,  it  remains  to  be  proved,  that 
Masonry  ever  was,  is,  or  can  be,  favourable  to  infidelity 
or  insurrection. 

That  a  regular  confederacy  ever  has  been  formed  upon 
this  basis,  or  that  the  corruptions  of  the  institution  of 
Freemasonry  have  been  so  far  systematized  as  to  have 
produced  that  shock  which  religion  and  government  have 
lately  received  by  the  French  revolution,  can  never  be 
admitted.  Those  who  view  the  wonderful  changes  which 
have  recently  taken  place  in  Europe,  and  which  are  still 
going  on,  will  naturally  be  led  to  examine  further  into 
the  causes  of  so  stupendous  an  event.  Whatever  opinion 
the  Abbe  or  the  Professor  may  hold  of  their  own  saga- 
city, future  historians  will  have  little  reason  to  compli- 
ment them.  Possessed  of  greater  lights,  it  will  probably 
be  found,  that  no  conspiracy,  or  ingenious  scheme  of  any 
body  of  men,  has  brought  about  the  late  great  alters 


OF    MASONRY.  249 

tions.  They  will,  on  the  contrary,  see  much  in  the 
natural  constitution  of  things — much  in  the  very  princi- 
ple of  society  itself — more  in  the  corruptions  of  society 
— a  great  part  in  the  general  diffusion  of  letters — not  a 
little  in  the  various  arts  of  life,  and  in  the  extension  of 
commerce — and,  above  all  the  rest,  in  the  increase  and 
high  pitch  of  luxury.  Connecting  all  these  with  circum- 
stances and  persons,  they  will  come  to  a  fairer  conclusion 
than  either  the  Abbe  or  the  ingenious  Professor.  Upon 
the  Illuminati,  or  the  enlightened,  I  shall  make  no 
remarks.  I  know  them  not,  nor  their  principles.  They 
may,  or  may  not,  have  arisen  from  Freemasonry.  It  is 
a  matter  of  little  moment  to  the  man  who  is  well 
acquainted  with  the  principles  of  his  Society,  what 
ambitious  or  corrupt  minds  may  have  devised  in  imita 
tion  of  it.  It  is  enough  for  him  to  know  that  the  doc- 
trines of  the  institution  to  which  he  belongs  are  simply 
good,  and  have  no  natural  tendency  to  evil.  If  bad  men 
have  perverted  the  external  parts  of  the  system  to  wicked 
purposes,  he  laments  the  depravity  of  human  nature,  and 
regards  the  genuine  principles  of  his  Order  with  greater 
affection.  The  best  of  doctrines  has  been  corrupted,  and 
the  most  sacred  of  all  institutions  prostituted  to  base 
and  unworthy  purposes.  The  genuine  Mason,  duly  con- 
sidering this,  finds  a  consolation  in  the  midst  of  reproach 
and  apostasy;  and,  while  he  despises  the  one,  will 
endeavour,  by  his  own  example,  to  refute  the  other. 

It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  a  Lecturer  in  Natural  Phi- 
losophy, of  whom  his  country  has  the  most  favourable 
opinion,  should  have  produced  a  work  which  can  do  so 
little  credit  to  his  character  either  for  knowledge  or 
judgment.  Were  his  volume  to  be  stripped  of  its  decla- 
mation and  conjecture,  the  remainder  would  be  too 
insignificant  to  merit  a  minute  investigation. 

In  a  postscript  to  the  second  edition,  the  Professor,  in 
imitation  of  the  Abbe  Barruel,  has  condescended  to 
except  the  English  Lodges  from  the  charge  of  disloyalty, 
or  want  of  attachment  to  government.  He  admits  the 
innocence  and  inofFensiveness  of  their  meetings,  and 
acknowledges  the  benevolent  principles  of  the  institu- 
tion as  practised  by  them.  This,  however,  is  but  a  flimsy 
evasion;  it  being  evident  from  the  whole  tenor  of  his 
book,  that  he  intended  to  sound  the  trumpet  of  alarm  in 
12* 


260  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  ears  of  his  Majesty's  ministers,  by  the  thunder  of  his 
extraordinary  denunciations.  We  are  happy,  however, 
to  discover,  that  after  all  the  proofs  against  the  Masons 
which  he  has  attempted  to  produce,  none  of  our  illustri- 
ous patrons  have  been  induced  on  that  account  to  desert 
the  Society.  On  the  contrary,  at  the  Grand  Lodge  on 
the  3rd  of  June,  1800,  we  find  the  Earl  of  Moira  thus 
addressing  the  Brethren : — 

"  Certain  modern  publications  have  been  holding  forth  to 
the  world  the  Society  of  Masons  as  a  league  against  consti- 
tuted authorities ;  an  imputation  the  more  secure,  because 
the  known  constitutions  of  our  fellowship  make  it  certain 
that  no  answer  can  be  published.  It  is  not  to  be  dis- 
puted, that  in  countries  where  impolitic  prohibitions 
restrict  the  communication  of  sentiment,  the  activity  of 
the  human  mind  may,  among  other  means  of  baffling  tlw 
control,  have  resorted  to  the  artifice  of  borrowing  the 
denomination  of  Freemasons,  to  cover  meetings'  tor 
seditious  purposes,  just  as  any  other  description  might  be 
assumed  lor  the  same  object.  But,  in  the  first  place,  it 
is  the  invaluable  distinction  of  this  free  country,  that 
such  a  just  intercourse  of  opinions  exists  without  re- 
straint, as  cannot  leave  to  any  number  of  men  the  desire 
of  forming  or  frequenting  those  disguised  societies  where 
dangerous  dispositions  may  be  imbibed.  And,  2ndly, 
the  profligate  doctrines,  which  may  have  been  nurtured 
in  any  such  self-established  assemblies,  could  never  have 
been  tolerated  for  a  moment  in  any  Lodge  meeting  under 
regular  authority.  We  aver,  therefore,  that  not  only 
such  laxity  of  opinion  has  no  sort  of  connexion  writh  the 
tenets  of  Masonry,  but  is  diametrically  opposite  to  the 
junction  which  we  regard  as  the  foundation-stone  of  the 
Lodge;  namely,  FEAR  GOD,  AND  HONOUR  THE  KING. 
In  confirmation  of  this  solemn  assertion,  .what  can  we 
advance  more  irrefragably,  than  that  so  many  of  his 
Majesty's  illustrious  Family  stand  in  the  highest  Order 
of  Masonry,  are  fully  instructed  in  all  its  tendencies,  and 
have  an  intimate  knowledge  of  every  particular  in  its 
current  administration  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Eng- 
land." 

After  so  public  a  testimony  of  approbation  of  the 
Society,  and  of  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  instituted, 
little  more  can  be  wanted  to  refute  the  ungenerous 


OF    MASONRY.  251 

aspersions    which    have    been    wantonly    thrown    out 
against  it. 

.On  the  12th  of  July,  1798,  an  act  of  parliament  was 
passed  for  the  more  effectual  suppression  of  societies 
established  for  seditious  and  treasonable  purposes,  and 
for  preventing  treasonable  and  seditious  practices.107 

107  In  this  act  the  following  clauses  in  favour  of  the  Society  of 
Masons  are  inserted,  exempting  their  Lodges  from  the  penalties  of 
the  act: — 

"  And.  whereas,  certain  societies  have  been  long  accustomed  to  be 
holden  in  this  kingdom  under  the  denomination  of  Lodges  of  Free- 
masons, the  meetings  whereof  have  been  in  great  measure  directed  to 
charitable  purposes  :  Be  it  therefore  enacted,  that  nothing  in  this  act 
shall  extend  to  the  meetings  of  any  such  Society  or  Lodge,  which 
shall,  before  the  passing  of  this  act,  have  been  usually  holden  under 
the  said  denomination,  and  in  conformity  to  the  rules  prevailing  among 
the  said  societies  of  Freemasons. 

"  Provided,  always,  that  this  exemption  shall  not  extend  to  an}' 
such  Society,  unless  two  of  the  members  composing  the  same  shall 
certify  upon  oath,  (which  oath  any  justice  of  the  peace  or  other 
magistrate  is  hereby  empowered  to  administer,)  that  such  Society  or 
Lodge  has,  before  the  passing  of  this  act,  been  usually  held  under  the 
denomination  of  a  Lodge  of  Freemasons,  and  in  conformit}7"  to  the 
rules  prevailing  among  the  Societies  or  Lodges  of  Freemasons  in  this 
kingdom  ;  which  certificate,  duly  attested  by  the  magistrate  before 
whom  the  same  shall  be  sworn,  and  subscribed  by  the  persons  so 
certifying,  shall,  within  the  space  of  two  calendar  months  after  the 
passing  of  this  act,  be  deposited  with  the  clerk  of  the  peace,  for  the 
county,  stewartry,  riding,  division,  shire,  or  place  where  such  Society 
or  Lodge  hath  been  usually  held  ;  Provided  also,  that  this  exemption 
shall  not  extend  to  any  such  Society  or  Lodge,  unless  the  name  or 
denomination  thereof,  and  the  usual  place  or  places,  and  the  time  or 
times,  of  its  meetings,  and  the  names  and  descriptions  of  all  and  every 
the  members  thereof,  be  registered  with  such  clerk  of  the  peace  as 
aforesaid,  within  two  months  after  the  passing  of  this  act,  and  also 
on  or  before  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  March  in  every  succeeding  year. 

"  And  be  it  enacted,  that  the  clerk  of  the  peace,  or  the  person  acting 
in  his  behalf,  in  any  such  county,  stewartry,  riding,  division,  shire,  or 
place,  is  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  receive  such  certificate, 
and  make  such  registry  as  aforesaid,  and  to  enrol  the  same  among 
the  records  of  such  county,  stewartry,  riding,  division,  shire,  or  place, 
and  to  lay  the  same  once  in  every  year  before  the  general  sessions  of 
the  justices  for  such  county,  stewartry,  riding,  division,  shire,  or 
place:  and  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  said  justices,  or 
for  the  major  part  of  them,  at  any  of  their  general  sessions,  if  they 
shall  so  think  fit,  upon  complaint  made  to  them  upon  oath  by  any  one 
,or  more  creditable  persons,  that  the  continuance  of  the  meetings  of 
any  such  Lodge  or  Society  is  likely  to  be  injurious  to  the  public 
peace  and  good  order,  to  direct  that  the  meetings  of  any  such  Society 
or  Lodge  within  such  county,  stewartry,  riding,  division,  shire  or 
place,  shall,  from  thenceforth,  be  discontinued ;  and  any  such  meeting 


252  ILLUSTRATIONS 

On  our  conforming  to  which,  as  I  am  convinced  every 
Mason  in  this  country  will  most  cheerfully  do,  we  may, 
in  defiance  of  all  the  false  charges  against  the  Society, 

held,  notwithstanding  such  order  of  discontinuance,  and  before  the 
same  shall,  by  the  like  authority,  be  revoked,  the  same  shall  be 
deemed  an  unlawful  combination  and  confederacy  under  the  provision* 
of  this  act." 

FORM  OF  CERTIFICATE. 
(  Here  insert  ) 
}  the  name  of  >  TO  WIT, 
(  the  county.  ) 

We  the  underwritten  A.  B.  of  in  the  county  of 

and  C.  D.  of  &c.  (Here  insert  the  full  names  and  description 

of  the  two  Brethren  certifying)  two  of  the  members  of  the  Lodge  of 
Freemasons  held  at  called  the  Lodge  of 

and  being  No.  in  the  list  of  Lodges,  do  hereby,  pursuant  to  an 

act  of  the  39th  year  of  his  present  Majesty,  entitled,  "An  act  for 
the  more  effectual  suppression  of  societies  established  for  seditious 
and  treasonable  purposes,  and  for  better  preventing  treasonable  and 
seditious  practices,"  certify  upon  oath,  that  the  said  Lodge,  of  which 
we  are  respectively  members  as  aforesaid,  hath,  before  the  passing  of 
the  said  act,  been  usually  held  under  the  denomination  of  a  Lodge  of 
Freemasons,  under  the  constitution  of  England,  and  in  conformity  to 
the  rules  prevailing  among  the  Societies  or  Lodges  of  Freemasons  in 
this  kingdom. 

A.  B. 
0.  D. 
Sworn  at  the  day  of 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1800 

before 

FORM  OF  REGISTER. 

SHere  insert } 
the  name  of  >  TO  WIT, 
the  county.  ) 

A  register  to  be  enrolled,  pursuant  to  an  att  of  the  39th  year  of 
his  present  Majesty,  entitled,  *'  An  act  for  the  more  effectual  suppres- 
sion of  societies  established  for  seditious  and  treasonable  purposes, 
and  for  better  preventing  treasonable  and  seditious  practices,"  of  a 
Lodge  of  Freemasons  called  the  Lodge  of 

being  No.  and  usually  held  at  the  house  of  in 

in  the  county  aforesaid,  (Here  state  the  time  of  meeting), 
and  composed  of  the  following  members,  viz. 


Christian  and  Surnames. 

Place  of  Abode. 

Title.  Profession,  or 
k          Business. 

263 

rest  secure  in  our  Lodges,  and  practise  our  rites,  under 
the  sanction  of  the  best  constitution  and  the  mildest 
legislature  on  earth. 

On  the  4th  of  October,  1798,  the  General  Infirmary 
at  Sheffield  was  opened,  and  dedicated  in  solemn  form, 
in  the  presence  of  a  splendid  company  of  Brethren  from 
all  the  Lodges  in  the  county  of  York.  Lord  Fitzwilliam, 
Lord  Gal  way,  the  trustees  of  the  charity,  and  many  of 
the  most  respectable  gentlemen  in  the  neighbourhood 
attended  on  the  occasion. 

The  accounts  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodges  at 
this  time  afforded  the  most  pleasing  prospects  of  the 
future  prosperity  of  the  Society,  and  of  the  great  in- 
crease of  members  in  the  Lodges  under  their  separate 
jurisdictions.  The  anniversary  festivals  in  the  different 
counties  were  observed  with  the  strictest  regularity  ;  and 
all  the  Brethren  seemed  to  vie  in  their  exertions  to  add 
splendour  to  the  Craft,  and  to  rescue  the  institution 
from  the  unjust  charges  arid  illiberal  aspersions  which 
had  been  thrown  out  against  it.  Several  Lodges,  ani- 
mated by  a  firm  attachment  to  their  king  and  country, 
liberally  contributed  to  the  support  of  government,  and 
testified  their  loyalty,  and  adherence  to  the  .principles 
of  the  constitution,  by  the  most  affectionate  addresses  to 
their  Sovereign. 

An  event  of  real  importance  to  the  Society  now  par- 
ticularly claims  our  attention,  and  further  proves  its 
benevolence  :  it  is  the  institution  of  a  new  Masonic 
Society,  for  the  relief  of  sick,  aged,  and  imprisoned 
Brethren,  and  for  the  protection  of  their  widows,  chil- 
dren, and  orphans.  The  Society  was  established  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  the  Earl  of  Moira, 
and  all  the  other  acting  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ; 
who,  in  order  to  render  its  advantages  more  generally 
known,  particularly  recommended  it  to  all  the  Provincial 
Grand  Masters  in  their  several  districts.  The  individuals 
who  are  enrolled  members  of  this  Society,  and  are  in  em- 
barrassed circumstances,  have  every  reason  to  expect  more 
ample  aid  than  is  usually  given  in  other  benefit  societies  ; 
as  the  greater  part  of  the  subscribers  to  the  common 
stock  are  respectable  characters,  who  have  not  the  most 
distant  idea  of  becoming  burdensome  to  the  fund.  The 
mode  of  selecting  the  members  is  also  highly  judicious 


264  ILLUSTRATIONS 

and  proper ;  as  no  one  can  be  admitted  unless  he  be  re- 
commended by  the  Master  of  a  Lodge,  who  must  vouch 
for  him  as  being  a  man  of  irreproachable  character  and 
regular  habits  ;  and  so  strictly  is  this  rule  observed,  and 
so  cautious  have  been  the  original  institutors  of  the 
Charity,  that  no  improper  persons  be  enrolled,  -we  are 
informed,  that  several  hundred  names  have  been  already 
rejected.  This  institution,  therefore,  may  operate  toward 
the  improvement  of  morals  and  strict  regularity  of  con- 
duct ;  while  the  subscribers  are  gratified  with  the  pleas- 
ing prospect  of  extending  relief  to  the  truly  industrious 
and  deserving.  Above  3,000  names  are  enrolled,  and 
the  subscriptions  already  received  .amount  to  several 
thousand  pounds.  The  funds  have  also  considerably  in- 
creased, not  only  by  many  voluntary  donations  from  a 
number  of  eminent  Brethren  who  have  patronised  the 
Charity,  but  by  the  additvj/i  of  one  guinea  to  the  first 
annual  subscription  havivi/j  been  paid  by  every  member 
admitted  since  the  25tl».  of  June,  1SOO.  Thus  has 
been  established,  under  a  vf;ry  respectable  banner,  the 
Masonic  Benefit  Society,  \cbich,  under  wise  and  prudent 
regulations,  may  be  pro.luct'.ve  of  the  most  beneficial 
effects. 

The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  Rules  and  Orders 
of  this  Society  : — 

Any  Brother  of  fair  character,  being  a  subscribing  member  of  a 
regular  Lodge  under  the  Constitution  of  England,  and  recom- 
mended by  a  member  of  this  Society,  who  is  Master  of  a  Lodge,  is 
capable  of  admission. 

No  person  above  45  years  of  age  is  admitted  a  member  of  this  Society, 
unless  he  give  proper  security  that  he  will  not  become  chargeable 
in  his  own  person  to  the  fund ;  which,  though  under  this  restriction, 
shall  always  be  liable  to  the  provisions  for  his  widow  and  children 
after  his  decease. 

Th^  subscription  is  one  guinea  per  annum  ;  and  at  the  end  of  twenty- 
four  months  the  subscriber  beeomes  a  free  member,  and  is  entitled 
to  all  the  benefits  of  the  Society. 

Members,  when  sick,  lame,  or  blind,  are  to  be  entitled  to  lourteen 
shillings  per  week. 

Members  in  reduced  circumstances,  and  imprisoned  for  debt,  are  to  be 
allowed  a  sum  not  exceeding  four  shillings  per  week,  if  found  not 
unworthy  of  aid. 

Members  who,  through  old  age,  become  incapable  of  earning  their 
living,  are  to  be  allowed  six  shillings  per  week  till  the  first  general 
court ;  and  afterwards  such  a  pension  for  life  as  their  situation  may 
require,  and  the  funds  of  the  Society  will  admit. 


OF    MASONRY.  266 

The  widows  of  members,  if  their  circumstances  require  it,  arc  to  be 
allowed  the  sum  of  four  shillings  per  week,  and  two  shillings  per 
week  for  every  lawful  child  under  twelve  years  of  age. 

The  orphans  of  members,  not  otherwise  provided  for,  are  to  be  en- 
titled to  the  sum  of  four  shillings  per  week  for  their  maintenance, 
and  a  further  sum  at  a  proper  age  as  an  apprentice  fee. 

A  general  court  of  all  the  subscribers  is  to  be  held  once  a  year,  to  fill 
up  any  vacancy  which  may  have  happened  among  the  trustees, 
choose  committee-men,  make  by-laws,  &c.  The  other  affairs  of  the 
Society  are  to  be  managed  by  a  quarterly  and  monthly  Committee, 
a  Committee  of  Auditors,  and  an  Actuary. 

Having  stated  in  a  preceding  part  of  this  history  the 
initiation  of  the  King  of  Sweden  into  Masonry,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Duke  of  Sudermania108,  it  may  not 
be  uninteresting  to  our  readers  to  lay  before  them  the 
result  of  a  correspondence  which  was  opened  this  year 
between  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Sweden  and  England. 
Nothing  can  more  truly  show  the  high  estimation  in 
which  the  English  Masons  are  held  abroad,  than  the 
repeated  applications  that  are  constantly  made  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  for  the  purpose  of  effecting 
a  social  union  arid  correspondence. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  held  at  Freemasons'-hall,  on 
Wednesday,  the  10th  of  April,  1799,  present  the  Right 
Honourable  the  Earl  of  Moira,  Acting  Grand  Master,  as 
Grand  Master;  the  Baron  de  Silverhjelm,  minister  from 
his  Majesty  the  King  of  Sweden  to  the  court  of  Great 
Britain,  presented  to  the  Grand  Master  in  the  chair  the 
following  Letter  from  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of 
Sweden,  which  was  read : — 

TO  THE  GLORY 

OF  THE  GRAND  ARCHITECT  OF  THE  UNIVERSE. 
We  Charles,  by  the  grace  of  God  Hereditary  Prince  of  the  Swedes, 
Goths,  and  Vandals,  Duke  of  Sudermania,  Heir  of  Norway,  Duke  of 
Sleswick,  Holstein,  Stormarric,  and  Dittmarche,  Count  of  Oldenburgh 
and  Delmenhorst.  Grand  Admiral  of  Sweden,  Vicar  of  Solomon  of  the 
7th  and  9th  Province,  and  National  Grand  Master  of  all  the  Lodges 
reunited  under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden  working  in  the  Royal  Art 
within  the  States  and  Dominions  dependent  on  our  august  Sovereign, 
Master,  and  Protector,  His  Majesty  the  King  of  Sweden. 

STRENGTH,  HEALTH,  AND  PROSPERITY. 

To  the  Most  Illustrious,  Most  Enlightened,  Most  Sublime,  Most 
Venerable  and  Venerable  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  the 

109  See  page  233. 


256  ILLUSTRATIONS 

National  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Grand  Wardens, 
Grand  Dignitaries,  Grand  Officers  superior  and  inferior,  and  Wor- 
ehipful  Members, 

UNION,  CONTENT  AND  WISDOM. 
Most  Illustrious  and  Most  Enlightened  Brethren, 

To  contract  an  intimate,  sincere,  and  permanent  tie  between  the 
National  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden  and  that  of  England,  has  long  been 
ardently  our  object ;  but  if  temporary  circumstances  have  delayed  the 
effect  of  our  wishes,  the  present  moment  leaves  us  at  liberty.  Our 
Order,  which  enjoys  in  the  two  States  the  same  privileges  and  the 
same  protection  of  government,  is  not  obliged  to  seek  for  security  in 
darkness ;  and  our  labours  approved  as  known  to  promote  the  public 
good,  are  protected  by  the  power  of  our  Sovereigns ;  enjoying  the 
sacred  rites  of  true  liberty,  (their  essence,)  in  being  able  without 
danger  to  exercise  those  charitable  deeds  towards  the  unfortunate, 
which  are  the  principal  objects  of  our  duty. 

This  uniformity  of  situation,  a&  well  as  the  fundamental  principles 
of  the  Craft,  which  we  equally  profess,  authorize  us  to  consolidate  and 
to  draw  closer  a  confidence,  friendship,  and  reciprocal  union  between 
two  bodies,  whose  common  object  is  the  good  of  humanity,  who 
mutually  consider  friendship  as  the  nerve,  and  the  love  of  our  neigh- 
bour as  the  pivot  of  all  our  labours.  Deeply  penetrated  by  these 
principles,  we  send  the  Most  Illustrious  Brother  George  Baron  de 
Silverhjelm,  decorated  with  the  highest  Degrees  of  Masonry,  as  our 
Plenipotentiary,  to  present  to  the  Most  Enlightened.  Most  Sublime, 
and  Most  Venerable  the  National  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  our  affec- 
tionate greeting.  He  is  charged  on  our  part  to  express  to  you  the 
sincere  esteem  we  bear  you,  and  how  desirous  we  are  to  contract  with 
you  a  fixed  and  permanent  union.  We  pray,  therefore,  that  you  will 
receive  him  amongst  you  as  the  bearer  of  our  fraternal  sentiments, 
and  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  faith  and  credence  to  all  that  he 
may  say  on  our  part,  conformable  to  these  our  cordial  professions. 

The  union,  which  is  the  basis  of  our  labours,  being  once  established 
between  two  nations  who  reciprocally  esteem  each  other,  and  who" 
are  both  known  to  possess   the  requisite  qualities  of  all  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons,  it  will  consolidate  for  ever  the  foundation  of  the 
Masonic  Temple,  whose  majestic  edifice  will  endure  to  future  ages. 

May  the  Most  High,  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe,  deign  to 
be  favourable  to  the  wishes  we  ofler  for  the  success  of  your  endeavours; 
and  we  remain  always.  Most  Illustrious  and  Most  Enlightened 
Brothers,  by  the  Sacred  Numbers, 

Your  devoted  Brother, 

CHARLES,  Duke  of  Sudermania. 

Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden.  G.  A.  REUTERHOLM. 

24th  Jan.,  5798.  Grand  Chancellor. 

This  letter  being  read,  it  was  resolved  unanimously, 
that  the  Grand  Master  be  requested  to  return  an  answer 
on  the  part  of  the  Society  to  the  Duke  de  Sudermania, 
expressive  of  every  sentiment  correspondent  to  the  warm 
and  brotherly  Address  received ;  and  that  the  Baron  de 


OP    MASONRY.  257 

Silverhjelm  be  received  as  the  representative  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden,  and  have  a  seat  with  the  Grand 
Officers  at  all  meetings  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

At  the  next  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  held  at  Free- 
masons'-hall,  on  Wednesday,  the  8th  May,  1799,  present 
the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Moira,  Acting  Grand  Master, 
as  Grand  Master,  in  the  chair;  the  Earl  of  Moira  reported, 
that  his  Royal  Highness  the  Grand  Master  had  been 
pleased,  on  the  part  of  the  Society,  to  return  the  follow- 
ing Answer  to  the  Letter  received  from  the  Duke  de 
Sudermania,  Grand  Master  of  Sweden : — 

In  the  name  of  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe. 

GEORGE,  Prince  of  Wales,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

STRENGTH,  HEALTH,  AND  PROSPERITY. 

To  our  very  dear,  very  Illustrious,  and  very  Enlightened  Brother, 
Charles,  Duke  of  Sudermania,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 

UNION,  CONTENTMENT,  AND  WISDOM. 

It  was  with  the  truest  satisfaction,  Most  Illustrious.  Most  Wor- 
shipful, and  Most  Enlightened  Brother,  that  I  received  the  Letter  in 
which  you  express  your  desire  to  see  an  intimate  connection  estab- 
lished between  the  worthy  and  regular  Masons  of  Sweden  and  those 
of  England.  The  high  opinion  that  I  have  of  your  character,  and  the 
fraternal  esteem  which  is  the  consequence  of  it.  add  greatly  to  the 
pleasure  I  feel  on  your  being  on  this  occasion  the  voice  of  your  Breth- 
ren. A  reciprocal  sentiment  has  long  disposed  these  two  brave  nations 
to  admire  each  other;  but  this  admiration,  howsoever  generous,  is 
barren ;  it  is,  therefore,  to  be  wished  that  it  should  be  improved  by  a 
close  relation  between  the  members  of  a  Craft,  the  existence  of 
.  which,  in  each  of  the  countries,  is  founded  on  beneficence  to  man- 
kind. 

•I  am  earnestly  entreated  by  my  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  to  request  that  you,  very  illustrious  and  very  enlightened 
Brother,  will  impart  their  most  unanimous  and  most  cordial  concur- 
rence in  these  dispositions  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Sweden. 

Wo  are  fully  sensible  how  much,  a  course  of  communication  must 
contribute  to  preserve  that  simplicity  which  has  for  so  many  centuries 
distinguished  the  Craft ;  a  simplicity  at  once  dignified  in  itself,  and 
satisfactory  as  a  pledge  towards  every  government  that  affords  us 
protection.  Let  us  unite  to  maintain  it.  Let  us  proscribe  all  those 
innovations  which  can  enable  either  dangerous  enthusiasts  or  profli- 
gate conspirators  to  work  in  darkness  under  the  hallowed  veil  of  our 
institution ;  and  let  our  labours,  like  those  of  our  predecessors,  be 
characterized  by  our  adoration  of  the  Almighty,  by  our  submission  to 
the  government  of  our  country,  and  by  our  love  to  our  neighbour. 
These  principles  will  justify  the  protection  which  you  receive  from 
your  august  Sovereign,  and  which  we  similarly  enjoy  under  our  inesti- 
mable Father  and  King. 


268  ILLUSTRATIONS 

May  the  great  Architect  of  the  Universe  be  propitious  to  the 
which  we  wtfl  unceasingly  offer  to  Heaven  for  the  welfare  of  those  two 
magnanimous  Protectors  of  our  Brotherhood:  and  may  be  shed  upon 
you,  most  illustrious  and  most  enlightened  Brother,  and  upon  your 
worshipful  fellow-labourers  in  the  Craft,  the  inexhaustible  fruits  oi 
his  benevolence ! 

I  salute  you  by  the  Sacred  Numbers. 

(Signed)  GEORGE,  P. 
London,  8th  May,  1799. 
By  command  of  the  Grand  Master,  (L.  S.) 
WM.  WHITE,  G.  S. 

From  the  above  correspondence,  and  the  happy  open- 
ing of  a  regular  communication  between  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  England,  Scotland,  and  Sweden,  there  is  the 
greatest  reason  to  believe  that  the  best  effects  will 
result ;  and  that,  agreeably  to  the  wish  of  every  zealous 
Brother,  a  friendly  and  lasting  intercourse  will  be  pre- 
served with  the  Freemasons  of  all  the  kingdoms. 

In  detailing  the  further  events  of  this  period,  the  fol- 
lowing circumstance  is  too  important  to  escape  notice. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1800,  just  as  his  late  Majesty 
George  III.  entered  his  box  at  Drury-lane  theatre,  and 
was  bowing  to  the  audience  with  his  usual  condescen- 
sion, a  person  who  sat  in  the  second  row  from  the 
orchestra,  towards  the  middle  of  the  pit,  got  up  on  the 
seat,  and  levelling  a  horse-pistol  towards  the  King's  box, 
fired  it.  Fortunately  at  the  moment,  a  gentleman  who 
sat  next  him  raised  the  arm  of  the  assassin,  so  as  to  direct 
the  contents  of  the  pistol  towards  the  roof  of  the  box, 
by  which  means  the  life  of  his  Majesty  was  happily  pre-, 
served.  The  man  dropt  the  pistol,  and  was  immediately 
seized.  He  was  conveyed  to  the  Green-room,  where  he 
underwent  a  private  examination.  Terror,  dismay,  and 
rage  were  marked  in  every  countenance,  except  that  of 
his  Majesty,  who  sat  with  the  utmost  serenity,  while  the 
Queen,  who  was  just  near  enough  to  hear  the  report  of 
the  pistol  and  see  the  flash,  collected  confidence  from  his 
magnanimity.  The  royal  family  sat  out  the  play  of  She 
would  and  she  would  not,  with  the  farce  of  the  Humourist, 
and  enjoyed  the  happiness  of  receiving  from  every  indi- 
vidual the  warmest  testimonies  of  affection.  At  the 
conclusion  of  the  play,  God  save  the  King  was  thrice  sung, 
accompanied  by  the  ecstatic  plaudits  of  every  part  of  the 
audience;  and  at  the  end  of  the  farce,  it  was  again 


OF    MASONRY.  259 

repeated,  with  the  following  lines  annexed,  written  by 
Mr.  Sheridan  on  the  spur  of  the  moment : 

From  every  latent  foe, 
From  the  assassin's  blow 

God  save  King ; 
O'er  him  thine  arms  extend, 
For  Britain's  sake  defend 
Our  father,  prince,  and  friend — 

God  save  the  King. 

Nothing  could  equal  the  indignation  which  was  univer- 
sally felt  by  the  populace  at  this  daring  attempt  on  the 
life  of  a  Sovereign  who  justly  reigned  in  the  hearts  of 
his  people,  and  who  never  by  one  act  of  his  life  provoked 
their  resentment. 

The  name  of  the  assassin  was  James  Hatfield,  who  had 
served  his  apprenticeship  to  a  working  silversmith,  and 
enlisted  in  the  15th  regiment  of  light  dragoons  in  which 
he  had  boldly  fought  for  his  king  and  country  On  his 
examination  at  the  theatre  before  the  Duke  of  York,  he 
turned  to  his  Royal  Highness  and  said,  "I  know  you — 
God  bless  you — you  are  a  good  fellow.  I  have  served 
with  your  Highness,  and  (pointing  to  deep  cut  over  his 
eye,  and  another  long  scar  on  his  cheek,)  I  got  these, 
and  more  than  these,  in  fighting  by  your  side.  At  Lin- 
celles  I  was  left  three  hours  among  the  dead  in  a  ditch, 
and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  French.  I  had  my  arm 
broke  by  a  shot,  and  got  eight  sabre  wounds  in  my 
head :  but  I  recovered,  and  here  I  am."  From  this  time 
he  began  to  show  manifest  signs  of  mental  derangement. 
He  was  committed  to  Cold  Bath  Fields  prison  for  the 
evening,  and  in  the  morning  brought  before  the  Privy- 
Council  for  further  examination.  When  ministers  were 
pressing  him  to  answer  many  questions,  he  sullenly 
replied,  "I  fired  the  pistol,  loaded  with  two  slugs,  at  ihe 
King; — what  would  you  have  more?"  He  refused  to 
answer  any  other  questions,  and  was  fully  committed  to 
Newgate  for  trial.  On  the  26th  of  June,  he  was  brought 
up  to  Westminster-hall,  and  tried  in  the  court  of  King's 
Bench.  After  the  examination  of  an  immense  number 
of  witnesses,  and  a  trial  of  eight  hours,  the  jury  found 
the  prisoner  "Not  guilty,  being  under  the  influence  of 
insanity  at  the  time  the  act  was  done."  He  was  then  re- 
moved to  Newgate,  and  ordered  into  confinement  for  life. 


260  ILLUSTRATIONS 

On  this  happy  escape  of  his  Majesty  from  so  daring 
an  attempt  on  his  life,  addresses  poured  in  from  every 
quarter  of  the  kingdom;  and  in  such  general  testimonies 
of  loyalty  and  attachment,  it  could  scarcely  be  expected 
that  the  Society  of  Freemasons,  over  which  the  Prince 
of  Wales  was  the  professed  Patron,  would  be  backward. 
At  a  special  Grand  Lodge,  therefore,  convened  at  Free- 
masons' hall  on  Thursday,  the  3d  of  June,  the  following 
Address  was  unanimously  voted,  and  afterwards  pre- 
sented to  his  Majesty  by  the  Prince  of  Wales  in  person 
at  the  first  levee : — 

Most  Gracious  Sovereign, 

The  danger  to  which  your  Majesty  was  exposed  in  the  atrocious 
attempt  lately  made  against  your  sacred  person,  whilst  it  filled  the 
hearts  of  all  this  country  with  alarm  and  abhorrence,  has  authorized 
every  class  of  your  subjects  to  offer  at  your  throne  the  expressions  of 
their  ardent  attachment,  without  fear  of  incurring  the  charge  of  intru- 
sion. 

Vouchsafe,  Sire,  under  this  construction,  to  admit  the  homage  of  a 
description  of  men  who,  in  ordinary  circumstances,  could  n5t  as  a 
body  tender  the  profession  of  that  devotion  to  your  royal  person,  and 
to  your  government,  which  it  is  their  boast  to  cherish,  not  in  their 
individual  capacities  alone,  but  in  their  peculiar  association. 

The  law.  by  permitting,  under  certain  regulations,  the  meetings  of 
Freemasons,  has  defined  the  existence  of  the  Society ;  binding,  at  the 
same  time,  the  members  of  it,  by  a  new  obligation  of  gratitude  for  the 
confidence  extended  towards  them,  to  labour,  as  far  as  their  feeble 
powers  may  apply,  in  inculcating  loyalty  to  the  King,  and  reverence 
to  the  inestimable  fabric  of  the  British  constitution. 

Being  so  acknowledged,  we  should  think  ourselves  wanting  in  the 
first  duty  towards  your  Majesty,  and  towards  that  constitution,  did 
we  not  approach  your  Majesty  with  the  testimony  of  our  feelings  on 
this  awful  occasion. 

Your  Majesty  is  therefore  implored  to  receive  the  humble  congratu- 
lations of  the  GRAND  LODGE  of  FREEMASONS  under  the  constitution  of 
England,  (the  Representative  Assembly  of  all  the  Lodges  under  tnat 
constitution.)  in  the  name  of  themselves  and  of  all  their  Brethren,  on 
your  having  been  shielded  by  the  hand  of  Providence  from  the  desper- 
ate "and  execrable  attempt  of  the  assassin. 

When  principles  were  first  promulgated  in  France,  which,  to  our 
conception,  tended  to  the  overthrow  of  all  peace  and  order  in  society, 
we  felt  ourselves  called  upon  to  depart  from  a  rule  which  had  been  till 
then  religiously  observed  in  our  association. 

As  a  veil  of  secrecy  conceals  the  transactions  at  our  meetings,  our 
fellow  subjects  have  no  assurance  that  there  may  not  be  in  our  asso- 
ciation a  tendency  injurious  to  their  interests,  other  than  the  general 
tenor  of  our  conduct,  and  a  notoriety  that  the  door  of  Freemasonry  is 
not  closed  against  any  class,  profession,  or  sect,  provided  the  individual 
desiring  admission  be  unstained  in  moral  character.  To  remove, 
therefore,  as  far  as  possible,  any  ground  for  suspicion,  it  has  been  from 


OF    MASONRY.  261 

time  immemorial  a  fundamental  rule,  most  rigidly  maintained,  that  no 
political  topic  shall,  on  any  pretence,  he  mentioned  in  the  Lodge. 

The  singular  juncture  to  which  we  have  alluded  seemed  to  call  for 
some  positive  declaration,  which  might  distinctly  exhibit  our  opinions; 
we  thence  ventured  to  profess  to  your  Majesty  the  loyalty  with  which 
the  Freemasons  of  England  glowed  towards  your  royal  Person,  and 
their  unalterable  attachment  to  the  present  happy  form  of  government 
in  this  country.  But  as  no  foresight  could  devise  a  motive  of  equal 
importance  with  that  which  then  actuated  us,  the  recent  occurrence 
being  of  a  nature  too  horrid  to  be  in  supposition  as  a  possibility,  it 
was  strongly  declared  that  no  precedent  should  be  drawn  from  that 
step ;  and  that  on  no  future  occasion  should  the  Grand  Lodge  exercise 
an  advertence  to  events  which  might  entail  upon  Freemasons  the 
charge  of  assuming  the  privilege  to  deliberate  as  a  body  upon  public 
affairs.  Hence,  Sire,  our  present  Address  has  not  been  so  early  as  our 
individual  anxiety  would  have  dictated;  for  it  was  requisite  that  a 
general  concurrence  should  sanction  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  a  second 
relaxation  of  its  rules,  before  we  could  jointly  express  that  which  we 
severally  felt  in  the  most  ardent  manner  on  the  solemn  subject. 

We  have  poured  forth  to  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Universe  our 
humble  thanksgiving,  that,  to  the  other  blessings  showered  on  this 
country,  he  has  added  that  of  defeating  a  crime,  the  solo  attempt  at 
which  produced  universal  dismay  throughout  these  realms :  and  we 
earnestly  confide  in  his  Divine  bounty  to  preserve  to  us  and  to  our 
fellow  subjects  for  many,  very  many  }rears  to  come,  a  life  so  important 
in  its  example,  and  so  inestimable  in  its  superintendence  over  our 
happiness,  as  that  of  your  Majesty. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  G.  S.  GEORGE,  P. 


Several  salutary  regulations  were  adopted  this  year  to 
liquidate  the  debts  of -the  Society.  On  a  strict  examina- 
tion of  the  accounts,  it  appeared  that  those  debts  had 
considerably  increased :  that  7,0001.  remained  due  from 
the  Society  on  account  of  the  hall  and  tavern,  besides 
the  tontine  of  2501.  per  annum;  and  that  the  average 
income  of  the  hall-fund,  after  paying  the  interest  of  the 
debt,  the  tontine,  and  incidental  expenses,  left  but  a  very 
small  sum  towards  the  reduction  of  the  principal;  and 
that  many  years  must  elapse  before  the  debt  could  be 
materially  reduced.  In  order  to  discharge  this  debt, 
therefore,  and  to  render  the  charity  more  extensively 
beneficial,  it  was  resolved  in  Grand  Lodge,  that  every 
Lodge  in  the  list,  until  the  debt  be  extinguished,  should 
pay  annually,  in  the  month  of  February,  to  the  hall-fund, 
two  shillings  for  every  subscribing  member  of  each 
Lodge ;  and  that  any  Lodge  neglecting  to  conform  to 
this  regulation,  should  be  considered  in  contempt,  and 


262  ILLUSTRATIONS 

be  subject  to  erasure  from  the  list.  It  was  also  resolved, 
that  a  declaration,  signed  by  the  master,  wardens,  trea- 
surer, and  secretary,  of  each  Lodge,  or  any  two  of 
them,  certifying  the  number  of  subscribing  members  at 
Christmas,  yearly,  should  be  transmitted  to  the  Grand 
Secretary,  with  a  list  of  the  members,  containing  their 
Christian  and  surnames,  age,  profession,  and  residence, 
when  made  masons,  or  admitted  members,  in  order  to  be 
registered  in  the  books  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  and  also 
the  fees  prescribed  by  the  regulations  to  be  paid  for  that 
purpose  into  the  hall  fund,  viz.,  for  every  Mason  made  in 
London,  or  within  ten  miles  thereof,  ten  shillings  and 
sixpence,  and  in  all  other  Lodges  beyond  that  distance, 
five  shillings ;  and  for  every  brother  made  in  one  Lodge 
and  joining  another,  two  shillings  and  sixpence;  and 
that  no  Brother  whose  name  had  not  been  registered, 
and  the  fees  paid  as  above,  should  be  entitled  to  relief 
from  the  fund  of  charity,  admission  to  the  benefit  society 
as  a  member,  or  have  his  daughter  received  into  the 
Freemasons7  school.  This  measure  had  the  intended 
effect;  the  Lodges  readily  concurred  in  the  plan  of 
liquidating  the  debts;  the  debts  were  paid,  and  the 
annual  subscription  ceased. 

Among  the  numerous  improvements  in  the  city  of 
London  this  year,  the  magnificent  range  of  building  at 
the  East  India  House,  in  Leadenhall-street,  deservedly 
claims  our  attention,.  The  elegance  of  the  structure 
confers  equal  honour  on  the  Company  for  whose  use  it 
was  built,  and  on  the  persons  who  were  employed  in  its 
erection.109  The  architecture  is  the  design  of  Richard 

109  The  following  is  a  description  of  the  pediment: 
COMMERCE,  which  is  represented  by  Mercury,  attended  by  NAVI- 
GATION, and  followed  by  Tritons  and  Sea-horses,  is  introducing  ASIA 
to  BRITANNIA,  at  whose  feet  she  pours  out  her  treasures.  The 
KING  is  holding  the  shield  of  protection  over  the  head  of  BRITANNIA, 
and  of  LIBERTY,  who  is  embraced  by  her.  By  the  side  of  his  Majesty 
sits  ORDER,  attended  by  RELIGION  and  JUSTICE.  In  the  back  ground 
is  ths  City-Barge,  &c. ;  near  to  which  stand  INDUSTRY  and  INTE- 
GRITY. The  THAMES  fills  the  angle  to  the  right  hand,  and  the 
GANGES  the  angle  towards  the  East. 

The  sentiment  of  the  composition  is,  "  That  a  nation  can  only  be 
truly  prosperous  when  it  has  a  King  who  makes  Religion  and  Justice 
the  basis  of  his  Government,  and  a  Constitution  which,  while  it  secures 
the  Liberties  of  the  people,  maintains  a  due  subordination  in  the  several 
ranks  of  society ;  and  when  the  Integrity  of  the  People  secures  to  each 
individual  the  advantages  which  Industry  creates  and  cultivates- " 


OF    MASONRY.  263 

Japp,  Esq.,  the  Company's  surveyor,  and  the  work  is 
finished  in  a  very  good  style. 

The  extended  progress  of  the  Society  of  Masons  at 
this  period  was  sufficiently  displayed  by  the  erection  of 
some  new  halls  for  the  Lodges  in  the  country,  and  the 
institution  of  a  school  in  London,  for  the  education  and 
support  of  the  sons  of  distressed  Brethren. 

On  the  20th  of  August,  a  new  hall,  built  at  Hull  by 
the  members  of  the  Rodney  Lodge,  was  dedicated  in 
solemn  form,  according  to  the  rites  of  Masonry,  in  the 
presence  of  three  hundred  Brethren.  The  great  zeal 
which  was  manifested  by  the  Lodge  on  this  occasion 
justly  merited  the  marked  distinction  which  was  con- 
ferred on  it  by  the  Corporation  of  Hull,  who,  with  a 
numerous  assemblage  of  the  most  eminent  characters  in 
the  neighbourhood,  honoured  the  Masons  with  their 
company.  An  elegant  dinner  was  provided  at  the  town- 
hall,  at  which  all  the  principal  civil  and  military  officers 
attended;  and  the  entertainment  concluded  early  in  the 
evening  with  the  greatest  cordiality  and  friendship. 


'  SECT.  XIV. 

The  History  of  Masonry  from  the  year  1800,  to  the  end  of  the 
year  1801. 

THE  Brethren  of  Scotland,  ever  emulous  to  excel  in 
promoting  the  benefit  and  improvement  of  their  country, 
had  an  opportunity  of  displaying  their  zeal  in  1801,  by 
giving  their  assistance  in  the  erection  of  the  Wet-docks 
at  Leith;  a  measure  well  calculated  for  the  convenience 
and  accommodation  of  .the  numerous  trading  vessels 
which  daily  arrive  in  that  port  from  different  parts  of 
the  world. 

The  Grand  Lodge  received  a  message  from  the 
Magistrates  of  Edinburgh,  requesting  their  company 
and  assistance  in  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  those 
Docks  on  the  14th  of  May,  1801.  The  Earl  of  Dalkeith, 
the  Grand  Master,  being  absent,  the  direction  of  the 
ceremony  was  vested  in  his  Deputy,  Robert  Dundas, 
Esq.,  of  Melville,  who  conducted  it  in  a  very  able  and 
masterly  style. 


264  ILLUSTRATIONS 

On  the  day  appointed,  the  Brethren,  amounting  to 
about  1200,  met  in  the  Assembly-rooms  at  Leith,  where 
the  Lodge  was  opened ;  and  from  thence  they  marched 
in  procession  to  the  Docks  a  little  before  nine  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  preceded  by  the  Lord  Provost,  Magistrates, 
and  council  of  Edinburgh,  with  the  Magistrates  of  Leith, 
in  their  robes;  the  Engineers  and  Architects  of  the 
proposed  building;  the  Master,  Wardens,  and  Brethren 
of  the  Trinity-house;  and  a  number  of  respectable  mer- 
chants arid  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Leith. 

The  Grand  Master  was  supported  by  Sir  James  Stirling, 
Bart.,  the  Past  Grand  Master,  and  Sir  Patrick  Murray, 
Bart.,  who  acted  as  Deputy  Grand  Master.  Lord  Downe, 
and  several  other  respectable  characters,  were  present. 
The  Substitute  Grand  Master,  the  Provincial  Grand 
Masters  for  Peebles,  Selkirk,  &c.,  and  the  Masters  of  the 
Edinburgh  Lodges,  according  to  seniority,  with  their 
officers  and  members,  walked  in  procession,  having  a 
band  of  music  attached  to  each  separate  Lodge. 

When  they  arrived  at  the  spot  where  the  stone  was 
intended  to  be  laid,  the  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates 
retired  to  a  theatre  erected  for  them  on  the  west-side ; 
and  the  Grand  Master  with  his  officers  to  another  on  the 
east-side,  where  a  table  was  placed,  on  which  were  laid 
the  jewels  and  other  emblems  of  the  Craft.  The  Sub- 
stitute Grand  Master  then  ordered  the  stone  to  be  slung, 
and  let  down  gradually,  making  three  regular  stops  before 
it  came  to  the  ground,  during  which  ceremony  an  anthem 
was  sung.  He  then  placed  a  large  phial  in  the  centre 
of  the  under-stone,  containing  all  the  present  current 
coins  of  the  country,  with  a  number  of  beautiful  medals 
of  the  first  characters  of  the  age,  all  of  which  had  been 
previously  enclosed  in  crystal.  Above  the  phial  were 
also  deposited  two  plates,  on  one  of  which  the  following 
inscription  was  engraved  : 

In  the  reign  of  the  Most  Gracious  Sovereign  GEORGE  III.,  and 

under  the  auspices  of  the  Right  Hon.  WILLIAM  FETTES, 

Lord  Provost  of  Edinburgh, 

The  Harbour  of  Leith, 

Though  formed  at  a  remote  period, 

And,  as  Commerce  in  the  course  of  ages  increased, 

often  repaired  and  extended ; 

Yet  being  still  narrow  and  incommodious, 

ROBERT  DUNDAS,  of  Melville,  Esquire, 


OF    MASONRY.  265 

In  the  absence  of  the  Right  Hon.  CHARLES,  Earl  of  DALKBITH, 

Grand  Master-Mason  of  Scotland, 

Laid  the  foundation-stone  of  these  Docks ; 

T>»  which  the  numerous  vessels  arriving  from  every  quarter  of  the 

Globe 

Might  receive  ample  and  secure  accommodation; 

On  the  10th  day  of  May,  A.  D.  1801,  A.  L.  5801. 

JOHN  RENNIB  being  Engineer. 

May  the  undertaking  prosper, 

By  the  blessing  of 'Almighty  God! 

On  the  other  plate  was  engraved — 

The  names  of  the  present  Town  Council  of  Edinburgh. 

The  Right  Hon.  HENRY  DUNDAS,  Member  for  the  City. 

The  Magistrates  of  Leith. 

The  Wet-dock  Committee. 

The  Engineers. 

The  Contractor  for  the  Work. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland ;  and 

The  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Trinity-house,  Leith. 

The  Grand  Master,  preceded  by  the  officers  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  having  the  jewels,  &c.,  borne  before  them, 
was  conducted  by  the  Past  Grand  Master,  Deputy,  and 
Substitute,  to  the  site  of  the  stone,  where,  with  the 
assistance  of  two  Operative  Masons,  he  turned  the  stone, 
and  laid  it  in  its  proper  bed.  Then,  placing  himself  on 
the  east  side,  with  the  Past  Grand  Master  on  his  right, 
and  the  Substitute  on  his  left,  his  Wardens  being  in  the 
west,  the  plumb,  level,  square,  and  mallet,  were  sepa- 
rately delivered  to  him  by  the  Substitute,  and  applied  to 
the  stone  in  several  positions  ;  after  which  he  gave  three 
knocks  with  the  mallet,  saying,  "  May  the  Great  Archi- 
tect of  the  Universe  enable  us  successfully  to  carry  on, 
and  finish  the  work,  of  which  we  have  now  laid  the 
foundation-stone,  and  every  other  undertaking  that  may 
tend  to  the  advantage  of  the  City  of  Edinburgh  and  its 
harbour !  May  He  be  a  guard  and  protection  to  them, 
and  may  they  long  be  preserved  from  peril  and  decay  !" 
The  cornucopia,  with  the  vessels  containing  the  wine 
and  oil,  were  then  delivered,  in  the  usual  form,  to  the 
Grand  Master,  who  poured  out  the  contents  successively 
upon  the  stone,  saying,  "  May  the  bountiful  hand  of  Hea- 
ven ever  supply  this  country  with  abundance  of  corn, 
wine,  and  oil,  and  all  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of 
life !"  The  Brethren  then  gave  three  cheers;  after  which 
13 


266  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  Grand  Master  addressed  the  Provost  and  Magistrates 
as  follows: — 

'  My  Lord  Provost  and  Magistrates, 

"  It  is  with  the  highest  satisfaction  that  I  have  now  availed  myself 
of  the  opportunity  which  the  situation  I  have  the  honour  to  hold  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  has  afforded  me,  of  assisting  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  work  so  essential  to  the  welfare  of  this  metropolis 
and  which,  I  trust,  will  contribute,  in  an  eminent  degree,  to  the  exten- 
sion of  the  commerce,  and  the  general  prosperity  of  this  portion  of  the 
united  kingdom. 

;t  The  respect  and  esteem  which  you  enjoy  in  the  community  over 
which  you  have  the  honour  to  preside,  are  the  surest  pledges  that 
nothing  will  be  wanting  on  your  part  to  second  the  efforts  and  fulfil 
the  wishes  of  those  public-spirited  individuals  who  have  promoted 
this  undertaking,  and  that  the  just  expectations  of  the  legislature,  to 
whose  liberality  you  are  also  indebted,  will  not  be  disappointed. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  contemplate  the  auspicious  period  at  which  this 
work  is  begun,  without  the  strongest  sensations  of  gratitude  to  that 
Providence  which  has  inspired  his  Majesty's  councils  with  temperate 
firmness,  and  his  fleets  with  irresistible  valour,  to  assert  and  .maintain 
the  just  rights  of  his  subjects  on  that  element  which  has  ever  been  the 
scene  of  their  triumphs,  and  the  source  of  their  envied  prosperity  and 
power.  May  the  same  bountiful  Providence,  in  the  blessings  of  an 
honourable  and  lasting  peace,  secure  to  the  merchants  of  this,  and  of 
every  other  port  in  the  British  dominions,  the  free  and  uninterrupted 
enjoyment  of  their  trade,  and  the  well-earned  fruits  of  industry  and 
enterprising  activity. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Craft  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  I  have  to 
offer  our  humble  supplications  to  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Uni- 
verse, that  He  will  afford  his  protection  to  your  Lordship,  and  your 
Brethren  in  the  Magistracy,  and  that  you  may  continue  to  be  the 
instruments,  through  Him,  of  promoting  the  happiness  and  welfare  of 
the  community  entrusted  to  your  charge." 

To  which  the  Lord  Provost  made  the  following  re- 
ply :— 

'•  Most  Worshipful  Sir,  • 

"  Leith  has  long  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  enterprise  and  success 
of  its  merchants  and  sailors.  The  rapid  increase  of  its  commerce  has 
made  it  necessary  to  extend  the  harbour,  and  improve  the  conveniences 
for  its  trade.  The  plan  of  that  able  engineer,  Mr.  Rennie,  has  been 
adopted ;  and  I  think  it  one  of  the  happiest  events  of  my  life,  that  I 
have  the  honour  to  fill  the  chair  of  the  city  when  the  foundation-stone 
is  laid  of  these  extensive  Wet-docks,  which,  I  conceive,  will  not  only 
be  of  great  benefit  to  the  City  and  its  port,  but  to  the  country  at 
large,  as  well  as  convenient  for  the  admission  of  large  ships  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's Navy. 

"I  assure  you,  Sir,  that  it  is  highly  gratifying  to  me.  and  to  my 
fellow-citizens,  that  the  first  stone  of  this  important  work  has  been 
laid  by  you.  Allow  me  to  remark,  that  there  appears  a  fortunate 
propriety  in  this  ceremony  being  performed  by  the  son  of  a  man,  to 


OF    MASONRY.  267 

whom  our  City,  the  Navy  of  Britain,  and  the  whole  Empire,  are  under 
so  many  obligations. 

"Permit  me.  in  the  name  of  the  Magistrates  and  Council  of  the  City 
of  Edinburgh,  to  return  our  warmest  thanks  to  you,  to  your  Brethren, 
and  to  the  gentlemen  who  have  honoured  us  with  their  attendance  OQ 
this  occasion.  And  may  that  Almighty  Being,  whom  winds  and  seas 
obey,  accompany  this  undertaking  with  his  blessing,  and  crown  the 
work  with  success !" 

The  ceremony  was  then  concluded  ;  and  the  Brethren 
having  given  three  cheers,  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns 
was  fired  from  the  vessels  in  the  roads,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Clements,  of  the  Royal  .Navy;  after 
which,  the  procession  was  renewed,  arid  returned  to  the 
Assembly-rooms  at  Leith,  where  the  Grand  Master 
received  the  thanks  of  the  Brethren  for  the  handsome 
manner  in  which  he  had  conducted  the  ceremony  of  the 
day. 

The  Substitute  Grand  Master  then  addressed  the  Ope- 
rative Brethren  to  the  following  effect : — 

"  The  foundation-stone  of  the  Wet-docks  at  Leith,  planned  in  much 
wisdom  by  the  ingenious  architect,  being  now  laid,  and  those  imple- 
ments in  your  hands  having  been  applied  to  it  by  the  Grand  Master. 
and  approved  of,  they  are  recommitted  to  you,  with  full  confidence- 
that,  as  skilful  and  faithful  workmen,  you  will  use  them  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  building  may  rise  in  order,  harmony,  and  beauty;  and, 
being  perfected  in  strength,  will  answer  every  purpose  for  which  it  is 
intended,  to  your  credit  as  Craftsmen,  and  to  the  honour  of  our  ancient 
Fraternity." 

The  Lodge  was  then  closed  in  due  form,  and  the 
Brethren  departed  in  the  greatest  order  and  regularity, 
highly  gratified  with  the  proceedings  of  the  day. 

Notwithstanding  the  incredible  number  of  spectators 
who  were  assembled  on  this  occasion,  no  accident  hap- 
pened. The  day  being  fine,  and  the  ships  in  the  roads 
and  harbour  having  their  colours  displayed,  rendered  the 
spectacle  peculiarly  grand  and  pleasing. 

Another  incident  occurred  in  Scotland,  in  1803,  which 
justly  deserves  to  be  recorded.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  in  Edinburgh,  on  the  30th  of  November, 
the  Earl  of  Moira,  the  acting  Grand  Master  of  England, 
attended;  and,  in  an  impressive  speech,  he  related  the 
conduct  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  to  the  irregular 
Masons  of  that  kingdom,  with  whom  he  understood  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  had  established  an  intercourse. 
He  stated,  that  the  hearts  and  arms  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
which  he  had  the  honour  to  represent,  had  ever  been 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

open  for  the  reception  of  their  seceding  Brethren ;  but 
that  they  had  obstinately  refused  to  acknowledge  their 
nTor,  and  return  to  the  bosom  of  their  Mother  Lodge. 
He  further  observed,  that  though  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  differed  in  a  few  trifling  observances  from  that 
of  Scotland,  the  former  had  ever  entertained  for  Scottish 
Masons  that  affection  and  regard  which  it  was  the  object 
of  Freemasonry  to  cherish,  and  the  duty  of  Freemasons 
to  feel.  His  Lordship's  speech  was  received  with  loud 
and  repeated  applause.  From  this  circumstance,  there- 
fore, we  may  probably  anticipate  the  renewal  of  an 
alliance  between  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scotland  and 
England.110 

The  state  of  the  Society  in  England,  from  the  year 
1800,  was  regular  and  progressive.  Under  the  patron- 
age of  the  Earl  of  Moira,  Masonry  was  cultivated  and 
considerably  extended.  Many  eminent  and  illustrious 
characters  enrolled  their  names  among  the  Fraternity; 
and,  through  various  branches  of  the  Royal  Family 
application  was  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  from  the  Ma- 
sons in  foreign  countries,  for  renewing  reciprocal  alliances 
of  permanent  friendship. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  in  February,  1802,  the  Earl  of 

110  From  Mr.  Lawrie's  valuable  treatise  on  Freemasonry,  lately 
published,  the  above  particulars  have  been  extracted.  This  gentleman 
has  given  a  very  satisfactory  account  of  the  misunderstanding  between 
the  regular  and  irregular  Masons  of  London.  After  stating  that  the 
schism  commenced  with  the  secession  of  some  Brethren  from  the 
Grand  Lodge,  in  1739,  he  observes,  that  the  active  promoters  of  it, 
calling  themselves  Ancient  Masons,  not  only  formed  Lodges,  in  sub- 
version of  the  rules  of  the  Order,  but  actually  established  in  London  a 
nominal  Grand  Lodge,  in  open  defiance  of  the  Ancient  Grand  Lodge, 
on  whom  they  invidiously  bestowed  the  appellation  of  Modern  Ma- 
sons, on  account  of  a  few  trifling  innovations  in  the  ceremonial  observ- 
ances, which  had  been  inconsiderately  sanctioned.  The  irregular 
Masons  encouraged  the  revolt;  and  having  chosen  as  their  Grand 
Master  the  Duke  of  Athol,  then  Grand  Master  elect  for  Scotland,  a 
friendly  intercourse  was  opened  between  them  and  the  Grand  Lodge 
in  Edinburgh.  From  this  circumstance  more  than  from  any  predilec- 
tion in  their  favour,  a  correspondence  has,  since  that  time,  been  kept 
up,  and  the  same  prejudices  imbibed  by  the  Brethren  of  Scotland 
against  the  regular  Masons  of  England.  The  business,  however,  being 
now  more  clearly  understood,  it  is  expected  that  a  general  union 
will  soon  terminate  all  differences,  and  that  a  regular  communica- 
tion will  be  speedily  effected  among  the  regular  Masons  of  both  king- 
doms.* 

*  In  a  subsequent  part  of  the  work  it  will  be  found  that  this  very  desirable  object  ha* 
been  happily  effected.— EDITOR 


OF    MASONRY.  269 

Moira  stated  to  the  Brethren,  that  the  Lodges  in  Berlin, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  had  solicited 
the  influence  of  the  Duke  of  Sussex  to  carry  on  a  friendly 
communication  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England ;  and 
had  expressed  a  readiness,  qn  their  part,  as  far  as  was 
consistent  with  the  duty  they  owed  to  their  own  Masonic 
jurisdiction,  to  act  in  unison  with  their  Brethren  of 
England,  in  promoting  all  the  general  principles  of  the 
Institution,  and  in  extending  relief  to  distressed  Masons ; 
on  which  it  was  immediately  resolved,  that  a  friendly 
communication  should  be  kept  up  with  our  Brethren  in 
Prussia,  and  every  attention  paid  to  their  future  recom- 
mendations. 

At  the  Grand  Lodge  in  May  following,  another  appli- 
cation was  made,  through  the  same  channel,  from  four 
Lodges  in  Portugal,  which  had  empowered  M.  Hyppolito 
Joseph  da  Costa  to  act  as  their  representative  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  in  their  name  to  solicit 
a  regular  authority  to  practise  the  rites  of  the  Order 
under  the  English  banner  and  protection.  After  mature 
deliberation,  it  was  determined  that  every  encouragement 
should  be  given  to  the  Brethren  in  Portugal ;  and  a  treaty 
was  immediately  entered  into  and  signed  by  Brothers 
Da  Costa  and  Heseltine,  then  Grand  Treasurer  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  approved  by  the  Grand  Master, 
whereby  it  was  agreed,  that  as  long  as  the  Portuguese 
Lodges  should  conform  to  the  ancient  constitutions  of 
the  Order,  they  should  be  empowered  to  have  a  repre- 
sentative in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  England  should  have  a  representative  ir 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Portugal ;  and  that  the  Brethrer 
belonging  to  each  Grand  Lodge  should  be  equally  enti- 
tled to  the  privileges  of  the  other. 

In  the  private  proceedings  of  the  Society,  few  material 
incidents  occurred.  In  consequence  of  the  death  of 
Thomas  Sandby,  Esq.,  the  office  of  Grand  Architect 
remained  vacant  till  1799,  when  Robert  Brettingham, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  his  successor.  William  Tyler,  Esq., 
the  Architect  of  the  Tavern,  having  been  proposed  as 
a  candidate  for  the  office  at  the  Grand  Feast  in  May, 
1801,  the  Grand  Master  observed,  that  the  office  of  Grand 
Architect  had  been  conferred  on  Brother  Sandby  only 
as  a  mark  of  personal  attachment,  he  having  been  the 


270  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Architect  of  the  Hall,  but  that  it  was  never  intended  to 
be  a  permanent  office  in  the  Society.  The  Grand  Lodge, 
therefore,  resolved,  that  the  office  of  Grand  Architect 
should  be  discontinued ;  but  that,  in  compliment  to 
Brothers  Brettingham  and  Tyler,  both  these  gentlemen 
should  be  permitted  to  attend  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
wear  an  honorary  jewel  as  a  mark  of  personal  respect. 

In  November,  1801,  a  charge  was  presented  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  against  some  of  its  members,  for  patron- 
izing, and  officially  acting  as  principal  officers  in  an 
irregular  society,  calling  themselves  Ancient  Masons,  in 
open  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The 
charge  being  fully  supported,  it  was  determined  that  the 
laws  should  be  enforced  against  these  offending  Brethren, 
unless  they  immediately  seceded  from  such  irregular 
meetings.  They  solicited  the  indulgence  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  for  three  months  ;  in  hopes  that,  during  the  inter- 
val, they  might  be  enabled  to  effect  a  union  of  the  two 
Societies.  This  measure  was  agreed  to ;  and  that  no 
impediment  might  prevent  so  desirable  an  object,  the 
charge  against  the  offending  Brethren  wras  withdrawn  ; 
and  a  committee,  consisting  of  the  Earl  of  Moira,  and 
several  other  eminent  characters,  was  appointed,  to  pave 
the  way  for  the  intended  union ;  and  every  means  ordered 
to  be  used  to  bring  back  the  erring  Brethren  to  a  sense 
of  their  duty  and  allegiance.  Lord  Moira  declared,  on 
accepting  his  appointment  as  a  member  of  the  committee, 
that  he  should  consider  the  day  on  which  a  coalition 
should  be  formed,  as  one  of  the  most  fortunate  in  his  life  ; 
and  that  he  was  empowered  by  the  Prince  of  Wales  to 
say,  his  Royal  Highness's  arms  would  ever  be  open  to  all 
the  Masons  in  the  kingdom  indiscriminately.  On  the 
9th  of  February,  1803,  it  being  represented  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  that  the  irregular  Masons  still  continued  refrac- 
tory,111 and  that,  so  far  from  soliciting  re-admission  among 
the  Craft,  they  had  not  taken  any  steps  to  «ffect  an  union, 

111  It  affords  me  the  most  heartfelt  pleasure  to  observe,  that  all 
recollection  of  the  bitterness  which  characterized  this  revolting  con- 
troversy, is  so  entirely  obliterated,  that  the  distinction  of  ancient  and 
modern  are  known  only  as  matters  of  history,  and  remembered  but 
with  the  sigh"  of  regret  that  such  disputes  should  have  ever  occurred 
to  cloud  the  amiable  and  decent  spirit  which  ought  always  to  distin- 
guish the  science  of  Freemasonry. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  271 

tlieir  conduct  was  deemed  highly  censurable,  and  the  laws 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  ordered  to  be  enforced  against 
them.  It  was  also  unanimously  resolved,  That  when- 
ever it  shall  appear  that  any  Masons,  under  the  English 
Constitution,  shall  in  future  attend,  or  countenance,  any 
Lodge,  or  meeting  of  persons,  calling  themselves  Ancient 
Masons,  under  the  sanction  of  any  person,  claiming  the 
title  of  Grand  Master  of  England,  who  shall  not  have 
been  duly  elected  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  laws  of  the 
Society  shall  not  only  be  strictly  enforced  against  them, 
but  their  names  shall  be  erased  from  the  Lists  and  trans- 
mitted to  all  the  regular  Lodges  under  the  Constitution 
of  England. 

In  February,  1804,  the  Grand  Lodge,  desirous  of  ex- 
pressing in  the  most  public  manner  the  high  sense  en- 
tertained of  the  services  of  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of 
Moira,  the  acting  Grand  Master,  unanimously  resolved, 
that  his  Lordship's  Portrait  should  be  painted  by  an  able 
artist,  and  put  up  in  the  Hall,  with  those  of  the  Past 
Grand  Masters,  as  a  lasting  testimony  of  the  gratitude 
and  esteem  of  the  Society  for  his  Lordship.  The  Noble 
Earl  afterwards  sent  to  the  Society,  as  a  present,  his 
portrait,  painted  by  Shee. 


SECT.    XV. 
History  of  Masonry  from  1801  to  1  812. 

THE  Scottish  Masons  had  another  opportunity  of  ex- 
emplifying their  zeal  and  attachment  to  the.  Society  on 
the  29th  of  June,  1801,  being  the  birth-day  of  his  Grace 
the  Duke  of  Gordon ;  when  the  foundation-stone  of  the 
bridge  over  the  Spey  was  laid.  The  concourse  of  people 
was  immense.  All  the  Lodges  round  were  assembled  in 
their  different  insignia,  and  the  whole  order  of  procession 
was  arranged  and  conducted  by  the  Marquis  of  Huntly, 
Provincial  Grand  Master  for  Bamffshire,  &c.  The  dif- 
ferent Lodges,  Societies,  and  private  gentlemen,  were 
formed  on  the  square  of  Fochabers.  which  was  lined  by 
the  neighbouring  volunteer  companies ;  and  an  excellent 
band  of  music,  belonging  to  the  Fochabers'  company, 
added  much  to  the  solemnity  of  the  procession.  From 


272  ILLUSTRATIONS 

the  square  the  whole  marched,  according  to  their  estab- 
lished rules,  to  the  river,  which  the  Provincial  Grand 
Master,  with  his  office-bearers,  &c.,  passed  on  a  tempora- 
ry bridge  of  boats,  as  the  stone  was  to  be  laid  on  the 
opposite  side.  The  volunteers  were  drawn  up  on  the 
south  side,  as  the  steepness  of  the  rock,  and  the  narrow- 
ness of  the  ground  where  the  foundation-stone  was  laid, 
prevented  more  from  crossing  the  river  than  were  abso- 
lutely necessary.  The  Grand  Master  then  laid  the  first 
stone  with  the  usual  solemnities.  Two  inscriptions  were 
deposited  in  it.  The  first  was  engraved  on  plate,  and  is 
as  follows : 

In  the  reign  of 
The  most  gracious  Sovereign  GEORGE  III. 

And  under  the  auspices  of 

His  Grace,  ALEXANDER,  Duke  of  GORDON, 

And  the  other   Patrons  of  the  undertaking, 

The  Most  noble  GEORGE,  Marquis  of  Huntly 

Provincial  Grand  Muster  for  Bamffshire,  &c., 

Laid  the  foundation- stone  of  the  Bridge 

over  the  Spey, 

On  the  29th  of  June, 

Being  the  day  on  which  the  Duke  of  Gordon 

entered  his  59th  year, 

In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1801, 

And  of  the  aera  of  Masonry  5801. 

The  other  inscription  was  sealed  up  in  glass,  and  is  aa 
follows : 

DEO  ANNUENTE, 

Pontis  hujus 
In  Spey,  olim  Tuessi,  fluinine, 

Ducis  de  GORDON,  magnopere, 
Civiumque  fmitimorum,  munificcntia, 
.JSque  ac  sere  publico, 

Extruendi, 

Lapidem  huuc  primarmra 

Nobilissimus  GEORGIUS  Marchio  de  HUNTLT, 

Filius  praealti  potentissimique  Principis, 

ALEXANDRI  Ducis  de  GORDON,  <kc. 

Artium  omnium  bonuruin  et  utilissimarum, 

Etiamque  salutis  publicae 

Benigne,  vindicis  et  amici, 

Posuit ; 
GEORGIO  III.  Dei  Gratia  regnante, 

Anno  Christi  MDCCCI 
uEraeque  Architectonic*  VMDCCCI. 

Viator ! 
Perge  et  plaude. 


OF    MASONRY.  278 

A  number  of  coins  were  deposited  at  the  same  time. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Gillon,  of  Speymouth,  as  chaplain,  pro- 
nounced a  very  appropriate  prayer ;  and  the  Provincial 
Grand  Master,  in  a  very  elegant  speech,  expressed  his 
felicity  in  seeing  an  undertaking,  so  magnificent  and 
useful,  at  length  happily  begun.  The  whole  was  con- 
cluded with  a  feu-de-joie  by  the  volunteers. 

The  procession  returned  in  the  same  order  to  Focha- 
bers,  where  ample  stores  of  every  thing  necessary  were 
provided,  and  the  day  was  concluded  with  the  highest 
festivity  and  happiness. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  islands  of  Jersey,  Guernsey,  and 
Alderney,  being  extremely  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of 
Sir  John  Doyle,  during  his  residence  among  them  as 
governor,  presented  him  with  two  handsome  gold  cups ; 
and  the  two  Lodges  of  Freemasons  in  those  islands  pre- 
sented him  with  two  elegant  gold  vases.  The  following 
is  a  description  of  them : — 

AN  ELEGANT  GOLD  CUP. — On  the  foot  are  represented  Faith, 
Hope,  and  Charity;  in  one  compartment  of  the  body,  the  battle  of 
Hobkirk  Hill,  April  25, 1801;  in  the  second,  sundry  Masonic  emblems ; 
in  the  third,  an  inscription.  The  handle  is  a  chased  crocodile ;  the 
lip,  the  Prince  of  Wales's  crest.  On  one  side  of  the  cover  are  the 
Earl  of  Moira's  arms  ;  on  the  reverse,  General  Doyle's ;  the  top  was 
blue  enamelled,  set  round  with  very  large  brilliants. 

INSCRIPTION. — To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Sir  JOHN  DOYLE, 
Bart.,  Colonel  of  the  47th  (or  Prince  of  Wales's  Irish)  Regiment, 
Lieutenant- Governor  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Islands  of 
Guernsey  and  Alderney. 

We,  the  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Marinet  Lodge,  No.  222, 
penetrated  with  a  lively  and  sincere  sense  of  gratitude,  esteem,  and 
admiration,  of  your  eminent  talents,  your  public  and  private  virtues, 
which  have  been  most  energetically  displayed  with  the  highest  ad- 
vantage to  His  Majesty's  service,  the  greatest  benefit  to  this  island, 
and  to  the  general  interest  of  humanity,  which  our  Lodge  has  experi- 
enced in  common  with  every  individual  under  the  sphere  of  your 
government,  and  with  profound  deference  and  respect,  we  beg  leave 
to  offer  you  a  box,  with  emblems,  in  some  small  degree  characteristic 
of  your  distinguished  and  amiable  qualities ;  but  intended  more  as  a 
lasting  testimony  of  our  gratitude. and  regard:  and  may  the  God  of 
Light  and  Truth  watch  over,  protect,  and  prosper  all  your  public  and 
private  undertakings,  is  the  prayer  of,  Sir, 

Your  grateful  and  attached  Friends  and  humble  Servants, 

The  Members  of  Lodge  No.  222. 

The  second  Gold  Cup  is  similar  to  the  former,  and 
presented  by  Lodge  No.  116 
13* 


274  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  third  is  a  most  superb  Gold  Vase,  presented  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  island  of  Guernsey: 

The  foot  is  richly  chased,  with  laurel  leaves  round  it;  on  the  bottom 
of  the  vase  ore  represented  the  r<». •,  thistle,  and  shamrock ;  on  one  side 
the  body,  General  Doyle's  arms,  supporters,  crest,  &c.,<kc.,  chased ;  on 
the  reverse,  an  inscription,  and  emblems  of  victory;  on  the  neck  of 
the  vase  are  two  battles  which  the  General  fought  in  Kgypt,  and  a 
view  of  two  forts  which  he  captured ;  on  the  lower  are  chased  the 
arms  of  the  island  of  Guernsey ;  and  on  the  top  is  Mars,  holding  in 
his  right  hand  a  wreath  of  laurel. 

The  inscription  on  the  above  vase  is  nearly  the  same 
.as  on  the  first. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1805,  the  Grand  Master  in  the 
chair  (Col.  Sherborne  Stewart)  stated,  that  a  communica- 
tion had  been  received  by  the  Grand  Secretary  from  the 
Earl  of  Moira,  Acting  Grand  Master,  relating  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  Scotland;  whereupon  it  was  resolved, 
That,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  has  expressed, 
through  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Moira,  its  earnest 
wish  to  be  on  terms  of  confidential  communication  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  under  the  authority  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  this  Grand  Lodge,  therefore,  ever  de- 
sirous to  concur  in  a  fraternal  intercourse  with  regular 
Masons,  doth  meet  that  disposition  with  the  utmost  cor- 
diality of  sentiment,  and  requests  the  honour  of  the 
Acting  Grand  Master  to  make  such  declarations  in  their 
name  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland. 

On  the  27th  of  November,  1805,  a  letter  had  been  re- 
ceived by  the  Acting  Grand  Master  from  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Prussia,  stating  their  desire  to  correspond  on  terms 
of  amity  and  brotherly  communication  with  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England ;  whereupon  it  was  resolved,  that  the 
Acting  Grand  Master  be  requested  to  express  the  wishes 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  towards  their  Brethren 
in  Prussia,  and  their  desire  to  correspond  with  them  on 
terms  of  fraternal  amity. 

On  Tuesday,  the  1st  of  September,  1807,  another  in- 
stance of  the  zeal  of  the  Scottish  Masons  occurred ;  when 
the  foundation-stone  of  the  North  Pier  of  Fraserburgh 
New  Harbour  was  laid,  with  great  solemnity,  by  Thomas 
Burnett,  Esq.,  Master  of  the  Aberdeen  Lodge,  and  Dr 
Alexander  Dauney,  Deputy  Master,  in  presence  of  the 
Magistrates  and  Town  Council  of  Fraserburgh ;  the 


OF    MASONRY.  275 

Masters,  Office-bearers,  and  Brethren  of  several  Lodges 
and  at  least  1000  spectators;  among  whom  were  the 
Earl  of  Kintore,  Lord  Inverary,  Alexander  Harvey,  Esq., 
of  Broadland,*«and  many  other  persons  of  distinction. 

The  Brethren  and  Magistrates  assembled  in  the  parish 
church  at  one  o'clock,  when  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Simpson,  for  the  occasion.  On  leaving  the 
church,  the  procession  moved  through  the  principal 
streets  of  Fraserburgh,  which  were  lined  by  nearly  300 
of  the  Fraserburgh  volunteers,  on  permanent  duty,  under 
the  command  of  Lieut.-Colonel  Fraser,  in  the  following 
order : 

A  Guard  of  Volunteers. 

Music. 
Keith  Lodge,  of  Peterhead. 

Fraserburgh  Lodge. 
Solomon's  Lodge,  Fraserburgh. 

^lacduff  Lodge. 
Operative  Lodge,  Bamff. 

Music. 

Forbes  Lodge,  Eosehearty. 

St.  Andrew's  Lodge,  Bamff. 

Magistrates,  Town  Council,  and  Subscribers. 

Superintendent  of  the  Building,  carrying  the  plan. 

Clergymen. 

Tyler  of  the  Aberdeen  Lodge. 

Inscription  plate,  carried  by  an  Operative  Brother. 

The  Cornucopia,  filled  with  corn. 

Two  silver  Cups,  filled  with  wine. 

The  Brethren  of  the  Aberdeen  Lodge. 

The  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

The  Senior  and  Junior  Wardens. 

The  Holy  Bible,  carried  by  a  Brother. 

The  Master  and  Deputy  Master. 

Three  Grand  Stewards. 

A  Guard  of  Volunteers. 

On  arriving  at  the  spot  (within  the  old  harbour)  where 
the  stone  was  to  be  laid,  the  Lodges  filed  off,  facing  in- 
wards; through  which  the  Magistrates,  Town  Council, 
and  Subscribers,  moved  to  the  west  side  of  the  stone, 
with  the  Clergymen,  the  Master,  Deputy  Master,  and 
Office-bearers  of  the  Aberdeen  Lodge,  moving  to  the  ea^t. 

The  stone  being  slung,  an  appropriate  address  was  de- 
livered by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Alexander  Jolly;  after 
which  ho  invoked  the  blessing  of  Grod  upon  the  under- 
taking in  a  suitable  prayer. 


276  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Deputy  Master  then  proceeded  (after  a  suitable 
address  to  the  Brethren  and  Assembly)  to  place  in  the 
base-stone  the  inscription-plate,  several  coins  of  the 
present  reign,  an  Aberdeen  newspaper  of  the  preceding 
week,  an  almanack  of  the  year,  and  a  writing  on  parch- 
ment, containing  a  list  of  the  subscribers,  and  other 
particulars  relative  to  the  undertaking;  which  writing 
was  inclosed  in  a  phial,  and  the  whole  deposited  in 
niches  made  in  the  stone  for  the  purpose. 

The  following  inscription  and  writing  were  previously 
read  by  the  Deputy  Master: 

"  The  present  Harbour  of  Fraserburgh,  which  was  built,  about  200 
years  ago,  by  Sir  Alexander  Fraser,  ancestor  of  the  present  Lord 
Saltoun,  being  originally  small,  and  of  bad  access,  and  now  much  de- 
cayed, the  foundation-stone  of  the  North  Pier'of  the  New  Harbour 
of  Fraserburgh,  designed  by  John  Rennie,  of  London,  Esq.,  Civil 
Engineer,  was  laid  1st  of  September,  1807,  of  the  aera  of  Masonry 
5807,  and  of  the  reign  of  Geo.  III.  the  47th  year,  by  the  Right 
Worshipful  Thomas  Burnett,  Esq.,  Mastet  of  the  Aberdeen  Lodge, 
and  Alexander  Dauney,  Esq.,  Deputy  Master,  the  Right  Hon.  Alex- 
ander George  Lord  Saltoun,  being  Superior  and  Provost  of  the 
Burgh;  William  Kelman,  Esq.,  Baillie  Alexander  Dauney,  LL.D.. 
his  Lordship's  Commissioner ;  William  Smith,  Treasurer ;  Sebastian 
Davidson,  Dean  of  Guild;  William  Fraser,  Esq.,  of  Menzie,  H.  C.; 
John  Dalrymple,  sen.,  William  Walker,  John  Wallace,  William 
Milne,  John  Milne,  James  Gray,  Alexander  Buchan,  William  Cooper, 
William  Greig,  Charles  Wemyss,  and  John  Alexander,  Merchant 
Counsellors:  John  Dalrymple,  jun.,  Robert  Matthew,  and  John  Bar- 
nett,  Traded  Counsellors;  Lewis  Chalmers,  Town  Clerk;  Mr.  W. 
Stewart,  from  Mid  Lothian,.  Superintendant.  Q.F.F.Q.S." 

The  Master  now  ordered  the  stone  to  be  lowered, 
making  three  regular  stops;  when,  with  the  assistance 
of  two  Operative  Brethren,  he  conducted  the  stone  to  its 
bed.  The  Master,  with  the  Deputy  on  his  right,  stand- 
ing towards  the  east,  and  the  Wardens  on  the  west,  the 
square,  the  plumb,  the  level,  and  the  mallet,  being  suc- 
cessively delivered  by  the  Deputy  to  the  Master,  were 
by  him  applied  to  the  sides,  top,  and  square  of  the  stone, 
in  several  positions:  with  the  mallet  he  then  gave  three 
knocks,  saying,  "May  the  Grand  Architect  of  the  Uni- 
verse grant  a  blessing  on  this  foundation-stone  which  we 
have  now  laid,  and  by  his  Providence  enable  us  to  finish 
this  and  every  other  work  which  may  be  undertaken  for 
the  good  and  advantage  of  this  town  and  harbour!"  On 
which  the  Brethren  gave  three  huzzas. 


OF    MASONRY.  277 

The  cornucopia  and  the  two  silver  cups  were  then 
brought  and  delivered,  the  cornucopia  to  the  Deputy, 
and  the  two  vessels  to  the  Wardens,  and  were  successive- 
ly presented  to  the  Master,  who,  according  to  ancient 
custom,  poured  the  corn,  wine,  and  oil,  which  they  con- 
tained, on  the  stone,  saying,  "  May  the  all-bounteous 
Author  of  Nature  bless  this  town  with  abundance  of 
corn,  wine,  and  oil,  and  with  all  the  necessaries,  conve- 
niences, and  comforts  of  life !"  On  this  the  Brethren 
gave  three  huzzas. 

After  the  ceremony,  the  Master,  Lodges,  and  Magis- 
trates, returned  in  reversed  order  to  the  Saltoun-inn, 
where  nearly  one  hundred  persons  sat  down  to  a  dinner 
given  by  the  town  in  honour  of  the  day ;  and  the  remain- 
ing part  of  the  evening  was  spent  with  that  agreeable 
conviviality  which  so  well  characterizes  the  ancient  Order 
of  Masonry. 

On  the  evening  of  next  day,  a  ball  and  supper  were 
given  to  the  ladies  of  Fraserburgh,  and  neighbourhood 
also,  in  honour  of  the  occasion,  at  which  it  may  well  be 
said  no  small  share  of  the  beauty  of  the  North  was  pre- 
sent. Ninety-two  sat  down  to  supper.  Dancing  began 
after  supper,  and  continued  with  much  spirit  till  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning. 

On  the  12th  of  February,  1806,  the  Earl  of  Moira,  in 
the  chair,  informed  the  Grand  Lodge,  that  during  his 
residence  in  Edinburgh  he  had  visited  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Scotland,  and  taken  the  opportunity  of  explaining  to 
it,  the  extent  and  importance  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  and 
also  the  origin  and  situation  of  those  Masons  in  England 
who  met  under  the  authority  of  the  Duke  of  Athol ; 
that  the  Brethren  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  had 
expressed  themselves,  till  then,  greatly  misinformed  of 
those  circumstances;  having  been  always  led  to  think, 
that  this  Society  was  of  a  very  recent  date,  and  of  no 
magnitude;  but  now,  being  thoroughly  convinced  of 
their  error,  they  were  desirous  that  the  strictest  union  and 
most  intimate  communication  should  subsist  between  this 
Grand  Lodge  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland ;  and  as 
the  first  step  towards  so  important  an  object,  and  in 
testimony  of  the  wishes  of  the  Scots  Masons,  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales  had  been  unanimously 
elected  Grand  Master  of  Scotland.  The  Grand  Master, 


278  ILLUSTRATIONS 

in  the  chair,  further  informed  the  Grand  Lodge,  that 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  had  expressed  its  concern 
that  any  difference  should  subsist  among  the  Masons  of 
England,  and  that  the  lodges  meeting  under  the  sanction 
of  the  Duke  of  Athol  should  have  withdrawn  them 
selves  from  the  protection  of  the  ancient  Grand  Lodge  of 
England;  but  hoped  that  measures  might  be  adopted  to 
produce  a  reconciliation  and  that  the  Lodges  now  holding 
irregular  meetings  would  return  to  their  duty,  and  again 
be  received  into  the  bosom  of  the  Fraternity.  That,  in 
reply,  his  Lordship  had  stated  his  firm  belief,  that  this 
Grand  Lodge  would  readily  concur  in  any  measures  that 
might  be  proposed  for  establishing  union  and  harmony 
among  the  general  body  of  Masons;  yet,  after  the  rejec- 
tion of  the  propositions  made  by.  this  Grand  Lodge  three 
years  ago,  it  could  not  now,  consistent  with  its  honour, 
or  the  dignity  of  its  illustrious  Grand  Master,  make  any 
further  advances;  but  that,  as  it  still  retained  its  dispo- 
sition to  promote  the  general  interests  of  the  Craft,  it 
would  always  be  open  to  accept  of  the  mediation  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  if  it  should  think  proper  to 
interfere  on  the  subject.  Whereupon  it  was  resolved, 
that  a  letter  be  written  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland, 
expressive  of  the  desire  of  this  Grand  Lodge,  that  the 
strictest  union  may  subsist  between  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
England  and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland ;  and  for  that 
purpose,  that  the  actual  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the 
Lodges  under  the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Scotland  who  may  be  in  London,  on  producing  proper 
testimonials,  shall  have  a  seat  in  this  Grand  Lodge,  and 
be  permitted  to  vote  on  all  occasions. 

The  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  unanimously 
voted  to  the  Earl  of  Moira,  for  the  happy  settlement  of 
this  important  business, 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1808,  a  communication  was 
made  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland  relative  to  Dr. 
Mitchell;  when  the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were 
voted  for  the  communication.  At  this  meeting  it  was 
resolved,  That  it  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  welfare 
of  Masonry,  and  for  the  preservation  of  the  ancient  land- 
marks, that  there  be  a  superintending  power,  competent 
to  control  the  proceedings  of  every  acknowledged  Lodge; 
and  that  the  Grand  Lodge,  representing  by  regular  dele- 


OF    MASONRY.  279 

gation  the  will  of  the  whole  Craft,  is  the  proper  and 
unquestionable  depository  of  such  power. 

That  it  is  contrary  to  the  principles  of  Masonry,  for 
any  Lodge  to  publish  its  sentiments  on  political  subjects, 
inasmuch  as  the  agitation  of  any  political  question,  or 
the  discussion  of  any  public  affair,  is  strictly  forbidden 
among  Masons;  the  Grand  Lodge  itself,  though  acting 
for  the  whole  Craft,  not  being  justifiable  in  departing 
from  this  rule,  unless  in  some  cases  of  obvious  and 
extreme  necessity. 

That  the  Grand  Lodge  concurs  entirely  in  the  justice 
of  the  opinions  which  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland 
thought  itself  bound  to  enforce ;  and  trusts  that  no 
Lodge  under  the  Constitution  of  England  will,  in  any 
shape,  countenance  resistance  to  an  authority  exerted 
upon  principles  universally  recognized  by  all  true-  and 
faithful  brethren. 

On  the  23rd  November,  1808,  the  acting  Grand  Master 
informed  the  Brethren,  that  he  had  received  a  communi- 
cation from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland,  applauding  the 
principles  professed  by  this  Grand  Lodge  in  its  declara- 
tion to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  and  desiring  to  co- 
operate with  this  Grand  Lodge  in  every  particular  which 
might  support  the  authority  necessary  to  be  maintained 
by  the  representative  body  of  the  whole  Craft  over  any 
individual  Lodge.  That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland 
pledged  itself  not  to  countenance  or  receive  as  a  Brother 
any  person  standing  under  the  interdict  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England  for  masonic  transgression.  Upon 
which  it  was  resolved,  that  the  Acting  Grand  Master  be 
requested  to  express  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland  the 
due  sense  which  this  Grand  Lodge  entertains  of  so  cor- 
dial a  communication. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1808,  the  foundation-stone 
of  Covent-Garden  Theatre  was  laid  by  his  Royal  High- 
ness the  Prince  of  Wales,  as  Grand  Master-mason  of 
England  and  Scotland.  The  foundation-stone  was  situa- 
ted at  the  north-east  angle  of  the  ground,  in  weight 
nearly  three  tons,  and  containing  sixty  cubic  feet.  Pre- 
vious to  the  ceremony,  it  hung,  suspended  by  cordage, 
over  a  basement  stone.  Near  to  it  was  placed  a  marquee 
for  the  Prince.  Two  extensive  covered  galleries  were 
erected,  one  to  receive  the  body  of  Freemasons  who 


280  ILLUSTRATIONS 

assisted  at  the  ceremony;  the  other  was  appropriated  to 
the  spectators.  Surrounding  scaffolds  were  covered  with 
many  hundreds  of  workmen,  who  were  engaged  in  the 
building.  A  detachment  of  the  first  regiment  of  guards 
was  posted  as  a  guard  of  honour,  at  the  Prince's  entrance, 
with  a  band  of  musicians;  and  four  other  military  bands 
were  stationed  on  elevated  platforms,  near  the  company, 
to  enliven  the  scene. 

At  twelve  o'clock  the  Grand  Lodge  was  opened  at 
Freemasons'-hall,  in  Great  Queen-street;  Charles  Marsh, 
Esq.,  in  the  chair,  attended  by  the  Masters  and  War- 
dens of  the  regular  Lodges ;  and  at  half-past  twelve  they 
walked  in  procession  to  Bow-street,  the  junior  Lodges 
first.  The  representative  of  the  Grand  Master  walked 
last;  being  preceded  by  the  Chevalier  Ruspini,  bearing 
the  Grand  Sword,  and  by  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  of 
Antiquity,  No.  1,  bearing  the  Book  of  Constitutions. 

On  their  arrival  at  the  Theatre,  they  were  welcomed 
to  the  places  assigned  them,  by  the  band  playing  the  old 
tune  of  "  A  Free  and  Accepted  Mason."  The  Grand  Offi- 
cers proceeded  to  the  marquee,  and  were  arranged  in 
order.  The  Master,  Wardens,  and  nine  members  of  the 
Stewards'  Lodge,  and  nearly  four  hundred  Masters  and 
Wardens  of  Lodges  attended,  habited  in  the  insignia  of 
the  Order.  The  several  bands  played,  alternately,  airs 
till  one  o'clock,  the  hour  fixed  for  the  appearance  of  the 
Prince;  when  his  Royal  Highness  in  his  coach,  accom- 
panied by  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  attended  by  General 
Hulse  and  Colonels  M'Mahon  and  Bloomfield,  arrived 
under  an  escort  of  horse-guards.  His  Royal  Highness 
was  received,  on  his  entrance  at  the  Bow-street  door,  by 
the  Earl  of  Moira,  acting  Grand  Master,  the  detachments 
of  guards  saluting,  with  grounded  colours,  and  beating  the 
"  Grenadiers'  March.  Mr.  Harris  and  Mr.  Kemble,  after 
paying  their  respects  to  his  Royal  Highness,  ushered  him 
to  the  marquee,  where  his  arrival  was  announced  bv  loud 
plaudits,  the  royal  standard  hoisted,  and  the  discharge 
of  a  royal  salute  of  artillery.  His  Royal  Highness,  who 
was  dressed  in  blue,  with  a  scarlet  collar,  wearing  the 
insignia  of  his  office  as  Grand  Master,  a  pair  of  gold  com- 
passes set  with  brilliants  and  other  jewelry,  and  a  white 
apron  bordered  with  purple,  and  fringed  with  gold, 
appeared  in  high  health  and  spirits.  Proceeding,  uncover 


OP    MASONRY.  281 

ed,  with  his  suite,  through  a  railed  platform  spread  with 
superfine  broad  green  cloth,  bound  with  scarlet  and  yel- 
low, forty  dismounted  life-guardsmen,  who  were  Masons, 
without  arms,  lining  the  sides  of  the  railing,  the  company 
all  rose  as  his  Royal  Highness  passed  the  platform  to  the 
marquee,  and  gave  him  three  cheers;  when  the  united 
bands  immediately  struck  up,  "  God  save  the  King."  His 
Royal  Highness,  as  he  passed,  smilingly  bowed  to  the 
ladies  with  the  most  fascinating  affability. 

The  Grand  Officers  had  previously  placed  the  masonic 
instruments  on  a  table  in  the  marquee.  A  plan  of  the 
building,  with  its  sections  and  elevations,  was  now  pre- 
sented to  his  Royal  Highness,  by  Robert  Smirke,  Esq., 
the  architect ;  and  a  gilt  silver  trowel  by  Mr.  Copeland, 
the  builder  of  the  edifice.  Having  passed  a  short  time 
in  conversation  with  the  proprietors,  and  with  the  Grand 
Masonic  Officers  in  the  marquee,  his  Royal  Highness  pro- 
ceeded to  the  ceremonial.  On  a  signal  given,  the  corner 
stone  was  raised  about  four  feet ;  the  hodmen,  in  white 
aprons,  instantly  conveyed  the  necessary  quantity  of  fine 
cementing  mortar,  which  was  neatly  spread  on  the  base- 
stone  by  the  workmen  of  the  building,  similfarly  dressed. 
His  Royal  Highness  now  advanced,  uncovered,  to  the 
north-east  corner  of  the  stone ;  when  John  Bayford, 
Esq.,  as  Grand  Treasurer,  deposited,  in  a  space  cut  for  it 
in  the  basement  stone,  a  brass  box,  containing  the 
British  gold,  silver^  and  copper  coins  of  the  present  reign. 
On  a  part  of  the  stone  was,  "Long  live  George,  Prince 
of  Wales,"  and,  "  To  the  King,"  with  a  medallion  of  the 
Prince.  There  were  also  deposited  two  large  medals, 
one  of  bronze,  bearing  a  head  of  his  Royal  Highness  on 
one  side,  and  on  the  other,  the  following  inscription : 

GEORGIUS 
PRINCEPS   WALLIARUM 

THEATRI 

EEGIIS  INSTAURANDI  AUSPICII8 
IN  HORTIS   BENEDICTINIS 

LONDINI . 
FUNDAMENTA 

Sua  Maim  LOCAVIT 

MDCCCVIIII. 

The  other  medal,  engraved  in  copper,  bore  on  one  side 
this  inscription : 

Under  the  auspices  of 
His  Most  Sacred  Majesty  George  HI. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

King  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great 

Britain  and  Ireland, 
The  Foundation-stone  of  the  Theatre  of 

Co  vent  Garden 
Was  laid  by  his  Royal  Highness 

GEORGE   PRINCE   OF   WALES. 
MDCCCVIU. 

On  the  reverse  is  engraven  : 

ROBERT  SMIRKE,  Architect. 

His  Royal  Highness  now,  as  Grand  Master,  finished 
the  adjustment  of  the  mortar  with  his  trowel;  when  the 
upper  stone  was  lowered  in  the  sling  to  its  destined 
position;  all  the  bands  playing  "Rule  Britannia,"  a  dis 
charge  of  artillery  being  fired,  and  the  people  with  the 
most  animating  cheers  applauding  the  spectacle.  The 
junior  and  senior  Grand  Wardens,  and  the  acting  Grand 
Master,  the  Earl  of  Moira,  now  severally  presented  his 
Royal  Highness  with  the  plumb,  the  level  and  the  square ; 
and  the  Prince,  having  applied  them  to  the  stone,  pro- 
nounced the  work  correct,  and  gave  the  stohe  three 
strokes  with  his  mallet. 

Three  elegant  silver  cups  were  then  presented,  suc- 
cessively, to  his  Royal  Highness,  containing  corn,  wine, 
and  oil,  which  he  scattered  and  poured  over  the  stone, 
all  the  bands  playing  "God  save  the  King."  His  Royal 
Highness  then  restored  the  plan  of  the  building  into  the 
hands  of  the  architect,  approving  that  specimen  of  his 
genius,  and  desiring  him  to  complete  the  structure  con- 
formably thereto.  Then,  graciously  turning  to  Mr. 
Harris  and  Mr.  Kemble,  he  wished  prosperity  to  the 
building,  and  the  objects  connected  with  it,  and  success 
and  happiness  to  its  proprietors  and  managers. 

The  ceremony  being  finished,  the  band  played  "  Rule 
Britannia:"  and  the  Prince,  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  and  the 
Earl  of  Moira,  were  escorted  back  to  the  Prince's  car- 
riage by  the  managers  and  the  Grand  Officers,  under  a 
second  royal  salute  of  twenty-one  guns. 

Thus  passed  a  ceremonial,  which,  by  the  excellent  pre- 
arrangement  of  its  managers,  and  the  gracious  yet  digni- 
fied manner  in  which  the  illustrous  chief  actor  performed 
his  part,  exhibited  an  interesting  spectacle,  that  excited 
general  admiration  and  applause.  All  who  had  the 
honour  to  approach  the  Prince  speak  in  raptures  of  his 
polite  and  captivating  manners  oil  the  occasion.  Al- 


OF    MASONRY. 

though  the  neighbouring  houses  were  covered  to  the 
roof-tops,  and  many  thousands  of  people  were  assembled 
in  the  street,  it  is  with  great  satisfaction  we  state,  that 
not  a  single  accident  happened  to  interrupt  the  splendid 
termination  of  the  ceremony. 

The  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Masonic  Lodges,  then 
returned  in  procession  to  their  hall  in  Great  Queen-street ; 
when  the  Grand  Lodge  was  closed,  after  making  a  formal 
minute  of  the  proceedings,  and  receiving,  through  the 
medium  of  the  Grand  Treasurer,  the  thanks  of  the 
Prince  for  the  favour  of  their  attendance. 

The  Brethren,  after  the  Lodge  was  closed,  sat  down 
to  a  splendid  dinner  at  Freemasons'  Tavern ;  when  mirth 
and  conviviality  closed  the  meeting. 

The  proprietors  of  Covent  Garden  Theatre  soon  after- 
wards received  a  letter  from  Colonel  M'Mahon,  dated 
from  Carlton-house,  in  which  he  stated,  that  he  had  it  in 
command  from  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales., 
to  express  his  high  approbation  of  the  very  great  order 
and  regularity  with  which  the  whole  arrangement  of  the 
ceremonial  had  been  formed  and  conducted. 

On  the  12th  April,  1809,  it  was  resolved,  That  this 
Grand  Lodge  do  agree  in  opinion  with  the  committee  of 
charity,  that  it  is  not  necessary  any  longer  to  continue 
in  force  those  measures  which  were  resorted  to  in  or 
about  the  year  1739,  respecting  irregular  Masons;  and 
do  therefore  enjoin  the  several  Lodges  to  revert  to  the 
ancient  landmarks  of  the  Society.  This  measure  was 
carried  into  effect  by  the  appointment  (with  the  sanction 
of  the  Grand  Master)  of  an  occasional  Lodge  named  "  The 
Lodge  of  Promulgation,"  which  will  appear  to  have 
been  a  step  preparatory  to  the  so-much-desired  Union 
of  Masons  Ancient  and  Modern. 

It  appearing  from  the  Grand  Treasurer's  account,  that 
the  liquidation  fund  for  discharging  the  debts  of  the 
Society  had  effectually  answered  the  purpose  for  which 
it  was  established,  and  that  all  the  principal  demands 
had  been  discharged,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1810,  the 
Grand  Lodge,  being  desirous  of  relieving  the  Fraternity 
from  the  payment  of  a  contribution  which  a  pressing 
emergenc}^  at  the  time  rendered  necessary,  ordered,  That 
the  payment  of  two  shillings  per  annum,  from  every 
member,  to  the  liquidation  fund  for  the  discharge  of  the 


284  ILLUSTRATIONS 

dobts  of  the  Society,  imposed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  on 
the  7th  of  February^  1798,  should,  from  and  after  the 
21st  day  of  December  next,  cease  and  determine.  It  was 
further  resolved,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Grand  Lodge  be 
given  to  the  Fraternity  at  large  for  their  ready  com- 
pliance in  the  measure  of  the  liquidation  fund,  which 
had  been  the  means  of  relieving  the  Society  from  its 
difficulties. 

The  Grand  Lodge,  however,  recommended  the  London 
Lodges  to  continue  the  subscription  till  the  expenses  of 
fche  Lodge  of  Promulgation  were  discharged. 

SECT.    XVI. 
History  of  Masonry,  from  1812  to  1813. 

ON  the  death  of  Sir  Peter  Parker,  Baronet,  Admiral 
of  the  Fleet,  Dec.  21,  JL811,  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Grand  Master  was  pleased  to  confer  the  office  of  Deputy 
Grand  Master  upon  his  Royal  Brother  the  Duke  of  Sussex, 
Master  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity. 

To  no  person  had  Masonry  for  many  years  been  more 
indebted,  than  to  the  Earl  of  Moira  (now  Marquis  of 
Hastings).  Towards  the  end  of  the  year  1812,  his  Lord- 
ship was  appointed  Governor  General  of  India:  and  it 
was  considered  by  the  Fraternity  as  only  a  just  mark  of 
respect,  to  invite  his  Lordship  to  a  farewell  banquet, 
previous  to  his  departure  from  England ;  and  to  present 
him  with  a  valuable  Masonic  Jewel,  as  a  memorial  of 
their  gratitude  for  his  eminent  services. 

The  27th  of  January,  1813,  was  the  day  appointed, 
when  a  most  sumptuous  dinner  was  served  up  in  Free- 
masons' Hall,  to  above  five  hundred  Brethren,  including 
six  Royal  Dukes;  viz.,  Sussex,  D.G.M.,  York,  Clarence, 
Kent,  Cumberland,  and  Gloucester.  The  gallery  was 
filled  with  ladies  of  the  first  fashion  and  respectability, 
including  the  Countess  of  Loudon  and  Moira.  The 
Duke  of  Kent's  band  attended  in  the  music  gallery;  and 
the  following  professional  gentlemen  occasionally  de- 
lighted the  company  with  their  vocal  exertions:  viz., 
Messrs.  Bellamy,  Hawes,  Neild,  Leete,  Goss,  Terrail. 
Taylor,  Evans,  Elliott,  Clarke,  Doyle,  and  Master 
King. 


OF    MASONRY.  286 

The  Duke  of  Sussex,  in  proposing  the  health  of  the 
Prince  Regent,  said,  "'I  am  commanded  by  his  Royal 
Highness  to  express  his  regret  that  he  is  not  here 
amongst  you  this  day;  but  his  hearty  good  wishes  are 
with  you;  and  I  also  beg  leave  to  recall  to  your  recol- 
lection the  many  obligations  which  are  due  to  His  Royal 
Highness  for  his  having  brought  forward  the  Noble  Lord 
whom  we  this  day  have  amongst  us." 

In  a  most  eloquent  oration,  the  Duke  of  Sussex  after- 
wards proposed  the  health  of  "  The  Earl  of  Moira,  the 
friend  of  his  Prince,  the  friend  of  his  country,  and  the 
friend  of  mankind." 

To  which  the  Noble  Earl  replied  in  the  following 
speech ;  for  the  report  of  which,  and  of  those  that  follow, 
we  are  indebted  to  Brother  Alexander  Frazer,  of  Thavies 
Inn : — 

"  BRETHREN,  it  has  been  said,  that  out  of  the  fulness  of  the  heart 
the  tongue  speaketh.  I  know  not  upon  what  grounds  that  statement 
was  founded ;  but,  at  present  at  least,  I  cannot  vouch  for  its  accuracy : 
never  did  I  more  wish  for  a  command  of  words,  and  never  was  I  less 
confident  of  my  powers,  than  I  am  upon  this  occasion;  yet,  God 
knows,  my  heart  is  full  enough.  But  the  overwhelming  marks  of 
regard  and  attachment  with  which  }rou  have  honoured  me,  and  still 
more  the  exaggerated  compliments  which  1  have  just  received  from  the 
Illustrious  Personage  who  presides  here  this  day.  leave  me  little  of 
that  spring  of  spirit,  which  is  necessary  towards  answering  adequately. 
I  thank  that  Illustrious  Personage  for  his  high  encomium,  though  he 
has  left  me  a  difficult  line  to  draw  between  apparent  acceptance  of  so 
overcharged  an  eulogy,  and  failure  in  due  recognition  of  your  kindness. 
I  thank  that  Illustrious  Personage,  because  I  know  the  cordiality  of 
his  soul,  and  triumph  in  the  impulse  which  it  has  given  to  his  expres- 
sions, though  it  has  raised  him  to  a  strain  of  eloquence,  after  which 
any  language  of  mine  must  seem  tame  and  feeble.  You,  Brethren, 
well  know  the  medium  through  which  our  Illustrious  Chairman  has 
viewed  me.  and  will  thence  not  be  at  a  loss  to  account  for  his  fervour ; 
but  they  who  cannot  construe  those  expressions  by  that  key,  which 
all  of  you  understand,  ought  to  be  apprised,  that  there  exists  in  the 
Society  of  Masons  a  brotherly  affection,  nay,  an  affection  far  more 
than  brotherly,  which  delights  in  slackening  the  crest  of  judgment, 
and  even  rioting  in  the  field  of  fancy,  when  the  object  is  either  to 
exalt  the  merits  or  to  extenuate  the  defects  of  a  member  of  the  Craft. 
(Applause.)  Such  has  been  the  practice  of  the  Illustrious  Personage 
who  has  just  addressed  you.  He  has  allowed  fraternal  partiality  to 
seduce  him  into  all  the  indulgence  of  luxuriant  imagination.  He  has 
sketched  a  picture  with  fairy  tints.  He  has  exhibited  the  hand  of  a 
master  in  the  portraiture;  but  he  has  also  displayed  a  master's 
licence;  trusting  that  elegance  of  outline  and  brilliancy  of  colours 
would  atone  for  deficiency  of  resemblance.  What  the  Royal  Duke  has 
been  pleased  to  ascribe  to  me3  has  been  only  the  emanation  of  the 


286  ILLUSTRATIONS 

principles  cultivated  in  this  hallowed  Institution. — the  practical  effect 
of  those  lessons  which  Masonry  inculcates,  not  for  purposes  of  mysti- 
cism, but  in  the  hope  of  their  influence  on  the  interests  of  soc.ety. 
His  Royal  Highness  has  been  pleased  to  dilate  upon  my  humble 
services  in  the  army.  I  am  sufficiently  conscious  of  the  exiguity  of 
the  scale  upon  which  it  has  been  my  lot  to  act.  I  have  no  preten- 
sions to  aught  beyond  credit  for  zeal ;  and  with  that  I  can  be  satisfied. 
If  I  know  myself,  I  have  ever  held  it  of  far  higher  value  to  possess 
the  silent  esteem  which  attends  an  useful  member  of  the  community, 
than  to  be  followed  by  the  clamorous,  but  unweighed  and  transient 
applause  of  the  multitude.  Only  believe  of  me  that  I  have  honestly 
considered  myself  the  servant  of  the  country,  always  liable  to  be 
called  upon  to  support  its  interests,  and  always  ready  to  obey  with 
fervour  the  summons.  That  merit  is  all  that  I  can  J<?  entitled  to 
claim.  The  Illustrious  Chairman  has  praised  me  as  the  friend  of  the 
Prince.  Can  I  assume  merit  for  my  attachment,  when  all  the  honour 
of  such  a  connexion  through  a  length  of  years  must  have  been 
bestowed  upon  me?  If  I  had  the  happiness  of  being  distinguished 
by  such  partiality,  adherence  was  but  a  slender  return,  though  the 
only  one  I  could  make.  But  were  it  possible  for  me  to  forget  every 
other  cause  for  pride  and  gratitude  in  such  favour,  there  is  one  obliga- 
tion which  the  circumstances  of  this  day  would  present  most  em- 
phatically to  my  memory.  It  was  the  Prince  Regent  who  placed  me 
in  the  situation  whence  I  have  derived  all  the  flattering  testimonies 
of  your  good-will.  To  him  I  owe  the  opportunities  of  endearing 
myself  to  you,  if  I  dare  indulge  myself  in  listening  to  your  friendly 
assurances  of  my  having  done  so ;  to  him  1  stand  indebted  for  the 
means  of  manifesting  what  I  thought  ought  to  be  the  tenor  of  his 
representative  in  the  Craft.  You  have  approved  my  conception  of 
that  character.  You  have  gone  further ;  you  have  rewarded  it  by 
making  this  the  proudest  day  of  my  life;  and  see  how  much  his 
influence  contributes  to  that  pride !  When  I  look  round  me  and 
observe  so  many  individuals  of  the  Royal  Family  present  on  the 
occasion,  I  must  feel  what  an  indication  it  is  of  his  generous  wish  that 
your  kind  enthusiasm  should  have  his  implied  concurrence ;  not  that 
I  can  thence  be  less  grateful  to  each  of  these  Illustrious  Personages, 
for  allowing  me  the  boast,  that  their  countenance  on  this  night  bore 
testimony  to  their  ratifying  your  approbation.  This,  as  a  man.  I  feel 
deeply,  but  with  no  inferior  sensibility  as  a  Mason.  Dignifying, 
indeed,  it  is  to  the  Craft,  to  see  those  elevated  Personages  exhibit 
their  fellowship  with  us.  But  it  is  not  merely  a  superficial  honour  to 
which  your  minds  should  be  alive.  No.  you  ought  to  feel  the  incal- 
culable* benefit  which  the  serious  objects  of  Masonry  must  derive  from 
this  public  display  of  the  sentiment  of  Royalty  towards  the  Brother- 
hood; this  avowal  from  so  many  of  those  immediately  connected  with 
the  Throne,  that  they  make  common  cause  with  your  welfare  and  your 
affections.  Let  us  carry  this  thought  farther.  *  Let  us  exult  in  the 
advantage  which  may  ensue  to  every  class  in  Britain,  from  the  cir- 
cumstance, that  these  elevated  individuals  could  not  have  been  present 
here  had  they  not  previously  received  all  '.hose  solemn  inculcations 
with  which  Masonry  endeavours  to  dispose  the  heart  of  each  of  the 
initiated  to  promote  the  comfort  of  his  fellow.  Every  one  of  these 
Illustrious  Persons  has  had  the  important  lesson  whispered  into  his 
ear,  Be  Simple,  be  Benignant,  be  Man !'  And  the  genn  planted  ID 


OF    MASONRY.  287 

minds  like  theirs  cannot  be  unfruitful.  They  comprehend  their  rich 
reward.  They  share  with  us  in  the  glowing  confidence,  that  the 
beneficence  of  a  superintending  Father  perpetually  shields  us.  They 
participate  with  us  in  that  sure  hope  of  the  future,  which  makes  our 
present  existence  appear  but  a  speck  in  the  immensity  of  our  immortal 
heritage.  They  are  assimilated  to  us  in  all  the  generous  affections 
of  that  charity,  which  tells  us,  that  kindness  to  all  must  be  the  obla- 
tion most  acceptable  to  Him,  who,  in  creating  all.  could  have  no 
motive  but  their  happiness.  When  Royalty  cherishes  such  senti- 
ments, its  commixture  with  social  life  is  a  blessing.  Need  I  remark, 
how  proud  the  distinction  is  for  our  own  beloved  country,  that  the 
presence  of  these  Illustrious  Persons,  in  meetings  of  convivial  society, 
so  far  from  being  a  check  upon  hilarity,  is  an  encouragement  which 
renders  enjoyment  more  grateful.  Yes,  the  influence  of  Royalty  in 
Britain  is  never  felt,  but  as  the  genial  zephyr  which  cheers  and  invites 
to  expansion  every  bud  it  breathes  upon ;  while  in  other  realms,  it  is 
the  wind  from  the  desert,  withering  all  over  which  it  passes. 

"  One  word  upon  a  point  more  immediately  referrible  to  myself.  1 
have  called  this  the  proudest  day  of  my  life.  I  ought  to  feel  it  so. 
For  above  one-and-twenty  years  I  have  had  the  honour  and  satisfac- 
tion of  presiding  in  this  society ;  a  society  formed  to  stimulate  men 
to  the  practical  application  of  doctrines,  at  which  I  have  slightly 
glanced,  but  on  which  I  should  have  been  happy  (had  it  been  allow- 
able) to  expatiate.  The  prodigious  extent  of  this  Society  in  England 
is  little  imagined  by  those  who  are  not  called  upon  to  look  to  its 
numbers.  Its  perfect  tranquillity  attracts  no  attention.  That  so  vast 
a  body  should  exist  in  such  silence,  and  move  with  such  invariable 
regularity,  while  it  would  appear  to  the  casual  observer  that  no  eye 
watches  or  hand  directs  its  procodure,  is  the  best  proof  of  its  rigid 
adherence  to  principles,  in  their  nature  unalterably  advantageous  to 
society.  It  is,  then,  a  pride  to  hold  a  leading  station  among  such 
men.  But  while  I  have  enjoyed  that  distinction.  I  have,  on  the  other 
hand,  been  subjected  to  their  scrutiny.  It  has  been  not  only  the 
right,  but  the  duty  of  Masons  to  keep  a  vigilant  eye  over  my  conduct 
in  life,  that,  if  censure  were  due,  their  remonstrance  and  rejection  might 
prevent  the  credit  of  the  Craft  from  being  tainted  by  the  ostensible 
superintendence  of  an  unworthy  individual.  After  that  observation 
of  me  for  one-and  twenty  years,  my  Brethren  have  this  day  pro- 
nounced their  judgment.  I  therefore  ought  to  know  how  to  appreciate 
this  testimony  of  your  approbation.  I  do  appreciate  it  justly.  I 
should  believe  your  verdict  to  fce  partial ;  perhaps  I  must  be  conscious 
it  is  so ;  but  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  it  is  the  stamp  of  honour  affixed 
upon  me;  and  I  thank  you,  Brethren,  with  a  gratitude  commensurate 
to  the  magnitude  of  the  boon." 

This  speech  was,  as  might  naturally  oe  expected,  fol- 
lowed by  the  most  enthusiastic  bursts  of  applause. 

The  Duke  of  Sussex  then  requested  the  attention  of 
tllfc  company  to  a  song,  written  expressly  for  the  occa- 
sion. 

The  following  elegant  and  appropriate  stanzas,  written 
for  the  occasion  by  Waller  Rodwell  Wright,'  Esq.,  (the 


288  ILLUSTRATIONS 

author  of  Hor<z  lonica,  a  poem  descriptive  of  the  Ionian 
Islands,  where  he  formerly  resided  as  his  Majesty's  Con- 
sul, and  of  which  he  has  lately  had  the  honour  of  being 
appointed  Grand  Master),  were  accordingly  sung  by  Mr. 
Bellamy,  with  much  and  deserved  applause;  the  last 
verse  being  encored  by  the  company,  and  again  encored 
]^y  the  Royal  Chairman : — 

OCCASIONAL  STANZAS, 

ADAPTED   TO  THE  GERMAN  AIB, 

"Erschall,  O  Gefuhl." 


FREE-MASONS'  HALL,  JAN.  27,  1813. 

THOU,  soft-breathing  Lyre,  for  a  while  be  suspended 

The  social  delight  which  thy  numbers  impart: 
While  sighs  of  regret  with  our  raptures  are  blended, 
And  strains  of  affection  flow  warm  from  the  heart. 
Hail !  hail !  hail !  to  ev'ry  bosom  dear, 

Thou,  to  whose  honour' d  name 
We  consecrate  the  parting  tear. 

Ye  realms,  where  the  day-star  first  springs  from  the  ocean, 
Now  welcome  the  dawn  of  Philanthropy's  ray ; 

Ye  nations  that  tremble  in  abject  devotion, 
By  Gangus  or  Indus — rejoice  in  her  sway. 
Hail!  hail!  hail!  &c.,  &c. 

Go  on,  noble  Spirit !  still  guerdon'd  with  glory, 

Pursue  the  bright  track  which  thy  fate  has  assigned ; 

For  thus  shall  thy  name  live  ennobled  in  story, 
Of  Britain  the  Pride,  and  the  Friend  of  Mankind. 
Hail!  hail!  hail!  &c.,  <kc. 

Oh,  deem  not  our  hearts  can  e'er  cease  to  revere  thee, 
Or  still  on  thy  virtues  with  rapture  to  dwell, 

Recalling  those  scenes  to  our  souls  that  endear  thee, 
And  the  pain  of  that  hour  when  we  bade  thee  farewell ! 
Hail!  hail!  hail!  &c.,  &c. 

E'en  then,  while  between  us  wide  oceans  are  rolling, 
Whene'er  we  assemble  these  rites  to  renew. 

With  magic  illusion  our  senses  controlling, 
Shall  Fancy  restore  thee  again  to  our  view. 
Hail!  hail!  hail!  &c.,  &c. 

And  when  on  that  breast,  where  bright  honour,  still  beaming, 
Sheds  lustre,  excelling  what  Kings  can  bestow, 

The  pledge  of  Fraternal  Affection  is  gleaming, 
With  kindred  emotions  thy  bosom  shall  glow. 
Hail!  hail!  hail!  &c.f  &c. 


OF    MASONRY.  289 

Oh,  think,  while  glad  millions  their  gratitude  breathing, 
For  Freedom  and  Justice,  thy  name  shall  adore, 

Fond  Friendship  and  Joy  rosy  chaplets  are  wreathing, 
To  greet  thy  return  to  thy  lov'd  native  shore. 
Hail !  hail !  hail !   &c.,  &c. 

On  a  signal  being  given,  which  had  been  previously 
mentioned,  the  ladies  retired  from  the  gallery ;  and  the 
Duke  of  Sussex  opened  the  Special  Grand  Lodge. 

After  several  of  the  accustomed  toasts  had  been  given 
and  drunk,  the  Jewel  which  was  to  be  presented  to  the 
Earl  of  Moira,  as  Acting  Grand  Master  of  the  Fraternity, 
was  paraded  round  the  Hall  .by  the  managers  in  proces- 
sion, carried  on  a  velvet  cushion  by  T.  H.  V arquhar, 
Esq.,  P.  S.  G.W.,  as  Master  of  the  Ceremonies,  in  order 
that  all  the  Brethren  might  have  an  opportunity  of  be- 
holding it.112 

The  Duke  of  Sussex,  after  addressing  the  Brethren  in 
the  usual  manner,  spoke  as  follows : — 

"  I  now  rise  with  those  sensations  which  are  more  easily  conceived 
than  expressed.  To  have  been  placed  by  you  in  this  chair  to  com- 
municate, or  to  be  the  organ  of  your  respectful,  affectionate,  and 
grateful  feelings,  toward  your  most  worthy  Acting  Grand  Master, 
when  so  many  more  able  Masons  than  myself  are  here  collected,  and 
so  many  elder  Brethren  of  .the  Royal  Family  are  here  present,  is  an 
honour  conferred  upon  me  of  greater  magnitude  than  I  can  express ; 
I  consider  it  as  one  of  the  highest  compliments  my  Masonic  zeal  can 
ever  aim  at  attaining.  Most  worthy  Acting  Grand  Master,  (the 
Royal  Chairman  turning  towards  and  addressing  the  Earl  of  Moira,) 
much  as  I  esteem,  and  much  as  I  respect  you  as  my  friend,  still  you 
must,  upon  this  occasion,  be  convinced  that  I  am  not  speaking  merely 
my  own  sentiments,  but  that  I  am  endeavouring  to  utter  the  feelings 
and  to  express  the  sensations  of  the  whole  Craft,  in  now  addressing 
you  individually.  We,  having  laboured  for  no  less  than  twenty-one 
years  under  your  vigilant  care  and  superintendence,  feel  ourselves 
most  closely  attached  by  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  esteem  towards 
you :  impressed  as  we  are  with  the  conviction  that  we  owe  much  to 

112  This  superb  Jewel  is  suspended  from  a  collar  three  feet  long, 
composed  of  seven  rows  of  fine  gold  Maltese  chain,  intersected  by 
five  gold  parallelograms,  with  brilliant  centres. 

The  Fraternity  were  indebted  for  the  design  and  execution  of  this 
chasto  and  elegant  production  of  art  to  Brother  J.  C.  Burckhardt,  of 
Northumberland  street,  Strand :  who  most  liberally  executed  it  in  the 
very  first  style  of  workmanship,  at  the  cost  price  of  the  material! 
and  labour.  The  Collar  and  Jewel  were  examined  by  one  of  the  most 
eminent  jewellers  in  the  metropolis,  who  estimated  it  at  about  fifteen 
hundred  pounds:  whereas  Brother  Burckhardt's  charge  was  under 
six  hundred  and  seventy  pounds. 
14 


1590  ILLUSTRATIONS 

you  for  your  constant  anxiety  and  unabating  zeal  for  the  welfare  o1 
the  Brethren  collectively  and  individually.  Masonry,  as  you  we] 
know,  is  one  of  the  most  sublime  and  perfect  institutions  that  eve 
was  formed  for  the  advancement  of  happiness  and  general  good  t 
mankind,  creating,  in  all  its  varieties,  universal  benevolence  am 
brotherly  love.  It  holds  out  allurements  so  captivating,  as  to  inspir 
the  Brotherhood  with  emulation  to  deeds  of  glory,  such  as  mus 
command,  throughout  the  world,  veneration  and  applause,  and  sucl 
as  must  entitle  those  who  perform  them  to  dignity  and  respect.  I 
teaches  us  those  useful,  wise,  and  instructive  doctrines,  upon  whicl 
alone  true  happiness  is  founded;  and,  at  the  same  time.  alYords  t\i<>< 
easy  paths,  by  which  we  attain  the  rewards  of  virtue ;  it  teaches  u 
the  duties  which  we  owe  to  our  neighbour,  never  to  injure  him  in  an; 
one  situation,  but  to  conduct  ourselves  with  justice  and  impartiality 
it  bids  us  not  to  divulge  the  mystery  to  the  public,  and  it  orders  u 
to  be  true  to  our  trust,  to  be  above  all  meanness  and  dissimulation 
and  in  all  our  avocations  to  perform  religiously  that  which  we  ough 
to  do.  As  Masons  and  Brethren,  wo  always  stand  upon  a  level  b; 
the  principles  which  we  are  taught;  we  are  all  of  the  same  family- 
high  and  low,  rich  mid  poor,  created  1>\  the  same  Almighty  Powei 
and  preserved  in  existence  by  a  consolation  and  support  originatinj 
from  the  same  source.  Stifl,  however,  Masonry  teaches  us  t<>  >h<.\ 
respect  and  honour  to  each  man  to  whom  respect  and  honour  ar 
due,  according  to  the  respective  characters  of  each  individual ;  and 
when  individuals  deserve  well  *f  the  whole  Fraternity,  it  display 
that  additional  lustre,  that  Masons  unite  heart  and  hand,  to  evinc 
conjointly  their  high  estimation  of  meritorious  services.  We,  there 
fore,  my  Lord,  behold  in  you  that  illustrious  character  who  call 
forth  the  respect  and  approbation  of  the  whole  Fraternity ;  who.  for 
saking  your  own  comforts  in  your  native  country,  and,  as  it  were 
even  your  high  station  in  society,  deigned  to  turn  your  philosophi 
mind,  with  all  its  energies,  to  promote  the  welfare  and  happiness  o: 
this  particular  Association,  as  if  sent  by  the  bounty  of  Providence  t 
guard  the  best  interests  of  this  people.  You,  who  possess  thfl 
character,  commanding  respect  and  confidence,  have  laboured  wit! 
effect  to  impose  and  to  enforce  those  duties  which  are  necessary  t 
the  welfare  and  success  of  the  Craft.  When  we  behold  such 
character,  we  cannot  help  feeling  how  much  virtue  has  been  hid  ii 
the  shade,  and,  at  the  same  time,  how  much  your  high  intellect  ha 
been  exerted  for  the  advancement  and  prosperity  of  this  Society 
These  are  the  sentiments,  most  worshipful  Acting  Grand  Master 
which  I,  on  behalf  of  myself,  and  of  the  Society  at  large,  communi 
cate  as  our  feelings  upon  this  important  occasion ;  impressed  with 
conviction,  that  to  you,  above  all  others,  we  owe  obligations  whieh  w 
never  can  forget.  At  a  moment  when  this  Society  was  pregnan 
with  total  destruction,  your  patriotic  exertions  excited  and  createi 
new  energies,  and,  like  the  Phoenix  which  rises  from  the  flame,  w 
rose  again.  (Applauses.)  Impressed,  I  say,  with  these  ideas,  am 
seeing  the  whole  Craft  inspired  by  similar  sentiments.  I  have  beei 
deputed  by  them  to  invest  you,  as  the  most  worshipful  Acting  Gram 
Master  of  this  Order,  with  this  badge  of  honour,  as  a  small  testimo 
niai  of  our  veneration  and  esteem.  (Here  the  Royal  Chairma 
invested  the  Noble  Earl  with  the  Jewel,  purchased  by  the  voluntar 


OF    MASONRY.  291 

contributions  of  the  Society  at  large.  The  applause  and  cheering 
were  here  so  great,  that  some  observations  which  fell  from  the  Chair 
could  not  be  distinctly  heard.)  We  wish,"  continued  his  Royal  High- 
ness, "that  you  should  carry  this  Jewel  as  a  signal  of  our  marked 
attention  and  favour;  and  that  that  bright  star  which  is  in  the  centre 
of  it,  may  conduct  you  to  that  shore  to  which  you  are  destined,  and 
also  to  that  glory,  which. we,  as  Masons,  earnestly  wish  may  be  ever 
attendant  upon  one  of  our  number  who  has  rendered  himself,  by  his 
meritorious  services,  so  dear  to  us.  Brethren,  I  shall  now  propose 
to  drink  the  health  of  our  most  worshipful  Acting  Grand  Master ; 
after  which,  I  shall  give  up  the  hammer  into  his  Lordship's  hands, 
craving  him  to  take  that  situation  in  which  I  am  sure  he  will,  as  he 
has  hitherto  done,  afford  satisfaction  and  joy  to  the  Fraternity."  His 
Royal  Highness  then  concluded  with  drinking  "  The  Health  of  the 
Earl  of  Moira,  our  worthy  Acting  Grand  Master." 

This  toast  was  drunk  by  all  the  Brethren  with  the  utmost 
enthusiasm,  and  with  the  accustomed  honours ;  after 
which,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex  resigned 
the  chair  to  the  Earl  of  Moira. 

The  Earl  of  Moira  then  rose,  and  addressed  the  Breth- 
ren from  the  Chair,  to  the  following  purport: 

"  Brethren,  it  would  at  any  moment  give  me  infinite  pain  and  con- 
cern to  remove  from  this  Chair  one  who  so  ably  fills  it,  and  one  who 
so  firmly  possesses  the  admiration  and  affection  of  this  Fraternity ; 
and  it  particularly  grieves  me  upon  this  occasion,  when,  in  doing  so, 
I  may  appear  ungrateful,  after  the  generosity  of  his  effusion  towards 
me.  But  I  am  not  at  liberty,  now  that  the  Lodge  is  resumed,  to 
waive  that  which  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  right,  but  as  the  duty  of 
my  function.  It  is  your  authority  which  I  represent,  and  I  must  not 
let  my  personal  feelings  compromise  it.  The  station  in  which  I  ain 
placed,  and  the  Jewel  which  I  now  wear,  admit  of  no  deviation,  upon 
my  part,  from  that  principle  in  your  regulations,  which  gives  me  here 
superintendence.  I  shall  thereby  be  enabled  to  offer  myself  more 
conspicuously  to  your  notice,  and  be  heard  more  distinctly  in  the 
profession  of  that  gratitude  which  is  imprinted  upon  my  heart  to  the 
utmost  extent  of  human  feelings.  It  will  be  everlastingly  engraven 
there ;  for  so  long  as  I  exist,  it  is  impossible  there  can  ever  be  the 
slightest  deduction  from  that  extraordinary  degree  of  obligation  I 
must  feel  towards  you,  whose  kindness  has  been  so  unprecedented 
and  unmeasured.  Believe  me,  if  the  most  transient  shade  of  repug- 
nance passed  over  my  mind  in  regard  to  accepting  a  present  of  so 
much  intrinsic  value,  the  hesitation  was  instantly  chastened  by  a  cor- 
recter  sentiment,  I  must  have  felt  the  uuworthiness  of  a  doubt  about 
meeting  with  confidence  the  wishes  of  my  Brethren ;  although  I  must 
regret  that  they  have  suffered  their  kindness  so  to  tax  their  purses. 
I  should  be  unworthy  of  your  fraternal  esteem,  could  I  not  answer 
it  with  as  cordial  a  confidence.  As  long  as  1  wear  this  badge  of 
honour  upon  my  breast,  the  recollection  of  your  extraordinary  kind- 
ness and  regard  shall  be  most  lively,  and  shall  animate  my  spirit  tc 
any  exertion  which  may  give  me  the  chance  of  justifying  to  the 


292  ILLUSTRATIONS 

world  your  opinion  of  me.  It  shall  be  my  constant  Monitor  in  oil 
my  future  duties.  In  it  I  shall  find  a  perpetual  admonition  to  prac- 
tise, with  still  greater  activity  than  ever,  those  philanthropic  and 
benevolent  principles  of  Masonry  in  the  situation  of  Rule  which  1 
am  about  to  hold  over  that  vast  territory  whither  I  am  destined.  I 
will  appeal  to  it  with  a  consciousness  of  having,  at  least,  endea- 
voured to  fulfil  my  duties ;  if  ever  my  spirits  flag,  that  they  be  roused 
anew  by  reflecting  on  the  testimony  of  those  sentiments  you  have 
been  pleased  to  entertain  of  my  exertions  for  the  advancement  of  the 
interests  and  welfare  of  this  Institution.  I  felt  a  diffidence  in  address- 
ing you  upon  the  occasion  of  the  first  speech  of  our  most  Illustrious 
Deputy  Grand  Master ;  and  if  so,  what  must  be  my  feelings  now  ?  I 
feel  myself  totally  unable  to  enter  into  any  minute  discussion ;  I  can 
only  say,  that,  when  he  is  pleased  to  represent  me  in  such  a  flattering 
light  as  he  has  done,  I  think  he  has  slidden  into  some  confusion  as  to 
the  object  of  his  applause.  The  lustre  which  he  praises,  and  which 
his  friendship  misleads  him  to  consider  as  essentially  mine,  is  only 
the  splendour  of  Masonry  reflected  from  me.  The  prominent  station 
wh'.ch  I  hold  here,  concentrates  all  the  rays  of  the  Croft  upon  my 
person,  as  it  would  upon  the  person  of  any  other  placed  in  the  same 
elevation ;  and  the  Illustrious  Deputy  Grand  Master  makes  an  effort 
to  persuade  himself  that  this  lunar  brilliancy  is  the  genuine  irradiation 
of  the  sun.  My  real  relation  to  you  may  be  best  explained  by  an 
Asiatic  apologue.113  In  the  baths  of  the  east,  perfumed  clay  is  used 
instead  of  soap.  A  poet  is  introduced,  who  breaks  out  into  an  enthu- 
siastic flow  of  admiration  at  the  odour  of  a  lump  of  clay  of  this  sort. 
"Alas!"  answers  the  clay,  "I  am  only  a  piece  of  ordinary  earth, 
but  I  happened  to  come  in  contact  with  the  rose,  and  I  have  borrowed 
,'ome  of  its  fragrance."  I  have  borrowed  the  character  of  the  virtues 
inherent  in  this  Institution;  and  my  best  hope  is,  that  howevei 
minute  be  the  portion  with  which  I  have  been  thus  imbued,  at  least, 
I  am  not  likely  to  lose  what  has  been  so  fortuitously  acquired. 
Gratitude  holds  a -high  rank  among  those  virtues;  and  if  I  can  be 
confident  of  any  thing,  it  must  be  of  this,  that  earnest  gratitude 
towards  you  cannot  depart  from  my  breast  but  with  the  last  pulse  of 
life.  With  the  sincerest  attachment,  and  an  affection  truly  fraternal 
— with  a  just  return  of  soul  to  all  that  you  have  been  pleased  to 
express  through  our  worthy  Deputy  Grand  Master  on  my  account — 
in  regard  to  all  the  kindness  you  have  exhibited  towards  me,  I  beg 
leave  to  drink  Health  and  Happiness  to  every  individual  present." 
(The  most  unbounded  applause  ensued.) 

After  a  variety  of  appropriate  toasts  and  songs,  Lord 
Moira,  in  his  capacity  of  Chairman  and  Acting  Grand 
Master,  then  proposed  as  a  toast, 

"  The  King  of  Sweden,  Grand  Master  of  the  Masons  oj 
the  North." 

The  Swedish  Ambassador  then  rose,  and  said— 

**  Brethren,  for  the  King,  my  master,  I  beg  leave  to  return  you  all 
my  hearty  thanks  ;or  the  honour  you  have  done  him.  I  shall  take 

118  The  prophecy  of  Sadi. 


OP     MASONRY.  293 

care  to  embrace  the  first  opportunity  I  may  have,  to  acquaint  my 
master,  the  King  of  Sweden,  and  all  the  Brethren  of  my  country, 
with  tiie  hononr  which  this  grand  and  noble  Society  has  been  pleased 
to  confer  upon  him,  and  also  upon  them." 

The  health  of  Lord  Kinnaird,  D.G.M.  of  Scotland,  was 
drunk,  who  returned  thanks  in  a  very  handsome  manner. 

The  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were  afterwards 
drunk. 

Lord  Moira  then  said, — 

"  Brethren,  I  should  be  deemed  deficient  in  that  attachment  and 
regard  usual  upon  such  occasions,  if  I  did  not  drink  the  Health  of 
the  Provincial  Grand  Masters,  Sir  John  Doyle  and  his  colleagrfes, 
who  attend  us  upon  this  occasion,  and  whose  sentiments  I  know  are 
those  of  reciprocal  attachment  and  fraternal  love,  both  upon  their 
own  part,  and  on  behalf  of  the  provincial  lodges  which  they  superin- 
tend." 

This  toast  being  drunk  with  great  cordiality  and  joy, 
Sir  John  Doyle  rose,  and  addressed  the  Brethren  nearly 
to  the  following  effect : — 

':  Most  worshipful  Acting  Grand  Master,  and  Brethren — Honoured 
as  I  have  been  by  the  personal  notice  of  the  Chair,  and  deputed  by 
my  colleagues,  the  Provincial  Grand  Masters.  I  rise  to  return  our 
joint  thanks  for  the  honour  which  has  been  conferred  upon  us.  The 
value  of  the  compliment  is  considerably  enhanced  by  the  kindness 
with  which  the  toa^t  has  been  received  by  all  the  worthy  Brethren 
present,  and  the  gracious  approbation  given  to  it  by  our  Illustrious 
Visitors ;  it  is  doubly  gratifying  to  us  in  coming  from  a  body,  the 
basis  of  whose  Institution  is,  to  fear  God,  to  honour  the  King,  and 
to  love  one's  neighbour  as  one's  self;  an  Institution  whose  prin- 
ciples, if  universally  diffused,  would  tend  to  calm  those  angry  storms 
that  agitate  and  convulse  an  affrighted  world,  and  man  would  no 
longer  be  the  bitterest  enemy  of  his  fellow  man.  Upon  the  interest- 
ing occasion  which  has  brought  us  together  this  day,  and  which  has 
excited  the  best  feelings  of  the  human  breast,  it  is  impossible  to  be 
wholly  silent.  I  am,  indeed,  sensible  of  the  difficulty,  nay,  the  im- 
possibility of  engaging  your  attention,  unless  you  could  do,  what  you 
never  will  do.  forget  the  brilliant  display  of  impressive  eloquence 
which  you  have  heard  from  the  Chair,  and  from  the  distinguished 
person  who  has  been  the  subject  of  its  just  and  elegant  eulogum. 
But,  Brethren,  difficult  as  the  task  may  be,  that  heart  must  be  cold 
and  callous  indeed  that  could  remain  unmoved  at  such  a  scene  as  this, 
and  not  catch  some  sparks  of  that  enthusiastic  fire  which  seems  to 
animate  the  whole, — an  enthusiasm  which  must  be  as  honourable  to 
those  who  feel  it,  as  gratifying  to  him  whose  virtues  have  called  it 
forth.  (Much  applause.)  If  this  could  be  applicable-  to  a  casual 
observer,  how  must  it  affect  the  feelings  of  one,  who,  from  earliest 
youth,  has  been  honoured  with  the  unvaried  friendship  of  this  highly- 
gifted  man.  I  know  him  well,  and  he  who  knows  him  best  must  love 
him  most ;  I  know  his  virtues,  but  I  also  know  the  refined  delicacy 
of  his  manly  mind  j  and  I  am  fearful,  that,  in  endeavouring,  however 


t 
294  ILLUSTRATIONS 

inadequately,  to  describe  the  one,  I  should  insensibly  inflict  a  wound 
upon  the  other.  Were  it  not  for  fear  of  this  offence,  what  countless 
instances  could  I  state  of  modest  merit  brought  forward  and  sus- 
tained ;  of  rising  genius  fostered  and  protected;  of  human  misery 
relieved  and  comforted.  The  helpless  orphan,  the  wretched  widow, 
the  aged  parent,  the  houseless  stranger,  the  prostrate  foe.  all  shared 
the  bounty  of  his  generous  hand — (here  ensued  loud  and  reiterated 
applauses  and  joyful  approbation)  : — thus  embracing  in  the  vast  scope 
of  his  comprehensive  and  philanthropfc  mind  every  gradation  of 
human  woe,  from  childish  infancy  to  decrepit  age.  He  was  in  heart  a 
true  Mason,  'and  every  child  of  sorrow  was  a  brother;  self  was  the 
only  being  that  seemed  by  him  forgot.'  Happy  Hindoo  !  how  will  thy 
sable  sons  have  cause  to  bless  the  power  that  sends  them  a  fatht-r 
and  protector  to  diffuse  happiness  among  countless  millions  !  But  I 
dare  not  trust  my  feelings  further ;  delicacy  forbids  me  to  say  more, 
— truth  and  justice  would  not  allow  me  to  say  less." 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  soon  afterwards  closed  in  the 
usual  form.  Lord  Moira,  on  retiring,  said,  "  May  God 
bless  you  all ;"  and,  agreeably  to  a  previous  hint,  no 
person  remained  after  his  Lordship  had  quitted  the  Hall. 

When,  by  the  accession  of  the  Prince  of  Wales  to  the 
Regency  of  the  United  Kingdom,  etiquette  seemed  to 
require  his  resignation  as  Grand  Master,  the  Duke  of 
Sussex  was,  by  the  unanimous  acclamation  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  elected  to  fill  that  high  and  important  situation ; 
and  the  Prince  Regent  soon  after  graciously  conde- 
scended to  accept  the  title  of  GRAND  PATRON  of  the 
Order. 

It  was  early  discovered,  that  the  Duke  of  Sussex's 
whole  heart  was  bent  on  accomplishing  that  great  de- 
sideratum of  Masons,  the  Union  of  the  two  Fraternities 
who  had  been  mis-termed  Ancient  and  Modern ;  and  his 
high  station  in  life  certainly  carried  with  it  an  influence 
which  could  not  have  been  found  in  an  humbler  indi- 
vidual. 

It  has  been  already  said,  that  his  Grace  the  Duke  of 
Athol  was  at  the  head  of  the  Ancient  Fraternity — for, 
to  be  explicit  without  circumlocution,  we  must  at  pre- 
sent make  use  of  these  terms  relatively.  The  fact  is, 
that  the  Ancients,  after  their  secession,  continued  to 
hold  their  meetings  without  acknowledging  a  superior, 
till  1772  ;  when  they  chose  for  their  grand  master  the 
Duke  of  Athol,  who  was  then  Grand  Master  Elect  for 
Scotland. 

This  venerable  nobleman,  we  may  presume,  was  con- 


OF    MASONRY.  295 

vinced  by  the  Royal  Duke's  arguments,  strengthened  by 
his  own  good  sens-e  and  benevolent  mind,  how  desirable 
must  be  an  actual  and  cordial  union  of  the  two  societies 
under  one  head  ;  because,  to  pave  the  way  for  the  mea- 
sure, his  Grace,  in  the  handsomest  manner,  shortly  after 
resigned  his  seat  of  Grand  Master,  recommending  his 
Royal  Higness  the  Duke  of  Kent  (who  had  been  made  a 
Mason  under  that  constitution)  as  his  successor;  who 
was  accordingly  elected  and  installed  Grand  Master  of 
that  body  of  Masons,  at  Willis's  Rooms,  St.  James's 
Square,  on  the  1st  of  December,  1813:  on  which  oc- 
casion his  Royal  Higness  most  liberally  professed,  that 
he  had  accepted  the  office  with  the  sole  view  of  co- 
operating, more  effectually,  perhaps,  with  his  illustrious 
Brother  of  Sussex,  in  promoting  and  cementing  the.  so- 
much-desired  Union. 

Zealously  did  the  two  Royal  Brethren  devote  them- 
selves to  the  arduous  task ;  and,  taking  to  their  council 
three  dsitinguished  Brethren  belonging  to  each  society, 
they  at  length  arranged  the  following  (among  other) 

ARTICLES  of  UNION  between  the  Two  GRAND  LODGES  of 
ENGLAND. 

In  the  name  of  GOD,  Amen.    • 

The  Most  Worshipful  His  Royal  Highness  Prince  EDWARD,  Duke  of 
Kent  and  Strathearn,  Earl  of  Dublin.  Knight  Companion  of  the  Most 
Noble  Order  of  the  Garter,  and  of  the  Most  Illustrious  Order  of  Saint 
Patrick.  Field  Marshal  of  his  Majesty's  Forces,  Governor  of  Gibraltar, 
Colonel  of  t\\e  Fir%t  or  Royal  Scots  Regiment  of  Foot,  and  Grand 
Master  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  England,  according  to  the 
Old  Institutions  ;  the  Right  Worshipful  THOMAS  HARPER,  Deputy 
Grand  Master  ;  the  Right  Worshipful  JAMES  PERRY.  Past  Deputy 
Grand  Master ;  and  the  Right  Worshipful  JAMES  AGAR,  Past  Deputy 
Grand  Master  ;  of  the  same  Fraternity  :  for  themselves  and  on  behalf 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons  of  England,  according  to  the  Old 
Institutions :  being  thereto  duly  constituted  and  empowered : — on  the 
one  part. 

The  Most  Worshipful  His  Royal  Highness  Prince  AUGUSTUS 
FREDERICK,  Duke  of  Sussex,  Earl  of  Inverness,  Baron  Arklow, 
Knight  Companion  of  the  Most  Noble  Order  of  the  Garter,  and 
Grand  Master  of  the  Society  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  under 
the  Constitution  of  England ;  the  Right  Worshipful  WALLER  ROD- 
WELL  WRIGHT,  Provincial  Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  the  Ionian 
Isles ;  the  Right  Worshipful  ARTHUR  TEGART,  Past  Grtnd  War-den  ; 
and'  the  Right  Worshipful  JAMES  DEANS,  Past  Grand  Warden  ;  of 
the  same  Fraternity  ;  for  themselves  and  on  behalf  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  Society  of  Freemasons  under  the  Constitution  of  Eng- 


296  ILLUSTRATIONS 

land:    being  thereunto  duly  constituted  and  empowered: — on    the 
other  part, 

Have  agreed  as  follows — 

I.  There  shall  be,  from  and  after  the  day  of  the  festival  of  Saint 
John  the  Evangelist  next  ensuing,  a  full,  perfect,  and  perpetual  Union 
of  and  between  the  two  Fraternities  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of 
England  above-described  :  so  as  that  in  all  time  hereafterv  they  shall 
form  and  constitute  but  one  Brotherhood ;  and  that  the  said  com- 
munity shall  be  represented  in  one  Grand  Lodge,  to  be  solemnly 
formed,  constituted,  and  held,  on  the  said  day  of  the  festival  of  Saint 
John  the  Evangelist  next  ensuing,  and  from  thenceforward  for  ever. 

IT.  It  is  declared  and  pronounced,  that  pure  Ancient  Masonry 
consists  of  three  degrees,  and  no  more ;  viz.,  those  -of  the  Entered 
Apprentice,  the  Fellow  Craft  and  the  Master  Mason  (including  the 
Supreme  Order  of  the  Holy  Royal  Arch).  But  this  article  is  not 
intended  to  prevent  any  Lodge  or  Chapter  from  holding  a  meeting  in 
any  of*  the  degrees  of  the  Order  of  Chivalry,  according  to  the  consti- 
tutions of  the  said  Orders. 

III.  There  shall  be  the  most  perfect  unity  of  obligation,  of  disci- 
pline,   of  working    the   lodges,   of   making,    passing,     and  % raising, 
instructing  and  clothing.  Brothers ;  so  that  but  one  pure,  unsullied 
system,  according  to  the  genuine  -landmarks,  laws,  and  traditions,  of 
the  Craft,  shall  be  maintained,  upheld,  and  practised,  throughout  the 
Masonic  "World,  from  the  da}'  and  date  of  the  said  Union  until  time 
shall  be  no  more. 

IV.  To  prevent  all  controversy  or  dispute  as  to  the  genuine  and 
pure  obligations,  forms,  rules,  and  ancient  traditions,  of  Masonry,  and 
further  to  unite  and   bind  the  whole  Fraternity  of  Masons  in  one 
indissoluble  bond,  it  is  agreed,  that  the   obligations  and  forms  that 
have,  from  time  immemorial,  been  established,  used,  and  practised,  in 
the  Craft,  shall  be  recognized,  accepted,  and  taken,  by  the  members 
of  both  Fraternities,  as  the  pure  and  genuine  obligations  and  forms 
by  which  the  incorporated  Grand  Lodge  of  England,  and  its  depend- 
ant Lodges  in  every  part  of  the  World,  shall  be  b«iind :  and  for  the 
purpose  of  receiving  and  communicating  due  light,  and  setting  this 
uniformity  of  regulation  and  instruction  (and  particularly  in  matters 
which  can  neither  be  expressed  nor  described  in  writing),  it  is  further 
agreed,  that  brotherly  application  be  made  to  the  Grand  Lodges  of 
Scotland  and  Ireland,  to  authorize,  delegate,  and   appoint,  any  two  or 
more  of  their  enlightened  members  to  be  present  at  the  Grand  Assem- 
bly on  the  solemn  occasion  of  uniting  the  Fraternities;  and  that  the 
respective  Grand  Masters,  Grand  Officers,   Masters.   Past  Masters, 
Wardens,  and  Brothers,  then  and  there  present,  shall  solemnly  engage 
to  abide  by  the  true  forms  and   obligations  (particularly  in  mat- 
ters which  can  neither  be  described  nor  written),  in  the  presence  of 
the  said  Members  of  the  Grand  Lodges  of  Scotland  and   Ireland; 
that  it  may  be  declared,  recognized,  and  known,  that  they  are  all 
bound  by  thfcsame  solemn  pledge,  and  work  under  the  same  law. 

V.  For  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  securing  this  perfect  uni- 
formity in  all  the  warranted  Lodges,  and  also  to  prepare  for  this 
Grand  Assembly,  and  to  place  all  the  members  of  both  Fraternities 
on  the  level  of  equality  on  the  day  of  Re-union,  it  is  agreed,  that,  as 
eoon  as  these  presents  shall  have  received  the  sanction  of  the  respec- 


OP    MASONRY.  291 

tive  Grand  Lodges,  the  two  Grand  Masters  shall  appoint,  each,  nine 
worthy  and  expert  Master  Masons,  or  Past  Masters,  of  their  respec- 
tive Fraternities,  with  warrant  and  instructions  to  meet  together  at 
some  convenient  central  place  in  London  ;  when,  each  party  having 
opened  (in  a  separate  apartment)  a  just  and  perfect  Lodge,  agreeably 
to  their  peculiar  regulations,  they  shall  give  and  receive  mutually  and 
reciprocally  the  obligations  of  both  Fraternities,  deciding  by  lot  which 
shall  take  priority  in  giving  and  receiving  the  same ;  and,'  being  thus 
all  duly  and  equally  enlightened  in  both  forms,  they  shall  be  em 
powered  and  directed,  either  to  hold  a  Lodge  under  the  warrant  or 
dispensation  to  be  entrusted  to  them,  to  be  entitled  "The  LODGE 
of  RECONCILIATION  ;"  or  to  visit  the  several  Lodges  holding  undei 
both  the  Grand  Lodges  for  the  purpose  of  obligating,  instructing, 
and  perfecting  the  Master,  Past  Masters,  Wardens,  and  Members,  in 
both  the  forms,  and  to  make  a  return  to  the  Grand  Secretaries  of 
both  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  names  of  those  whom  they  shall  have 
thus  enlightened.  And  the  said  Grand  Secretaries  shall  be  em- 
powered to  enrol  1he  names  of  all  the  members  thus  re-made  in  the 
register  of  both  the  Grand  Lodges,  without  fee  or  reward :  it  being 
ordered,  that  no  person  shall  be  thus  obligated  and  registered  whom 
the  Master  and  Wardens  of  his  Lodge  shall  not  certify,  by  writing 
under  their  hands,  that  he  is  free  on  the  books  of  his  particular 
Lodge.  Thus,  on  the  day  of  the  Assembly  of  both  Fraternities, 
the  Grand  Officers,  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and  Wardens,  who  are 
alone  to  be  present,  shall  all  have  taken  the  obligation  by  which  each 
is  bound,  and  be  prepared  to  make  their  solemn  engagement,  that 
they  will  thereafter  abide  by  that  which  shall  be  recognized  and 
declared  to  be  the  true  and  universally  accepted  obligation  of  the 
Master  Mason. 

VI.  As  soon  as  the  Grand  Masters,  Grand  Officers,  and  Members, 
of  the  two  present  Grand  Lodges,  shall,  on  the  day  of  their  Re-union, 
have  made  the  solemn  declaration  in  the  presence  of  the  deputation 
of  grand  or  enlightened  Masons  from  Scotland  and  Ireland,  to  abide 
and  act  by  the  universally  recognized  obligation  of  Master  Mason, 
the  Members  shall   forthwith   proceed  to  the   election  of  a  Grand 
Master  for  the  year  ensuing ;  and,  to  prevent  delay,  the  Brother  so 
elected   shall   forthwith  be  obligated,  pro  tempore,  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  may  be  formed.     The  said  Grand  Master  shall  then  nominate 
and  appoint  his  Deputy  Grand   Master,  together  with  a  Senior  and 
Junior  Grand  Warden,  Grand  Secretary,  or  Secretaries,  Grand  Trea- 
surer, Grand  Chaplain,  Grand  Sword-Bearer,  Grand  Pursuivant,  and 
Grand  Tyler,  who  shall  all  be  duly  obligated  and  placed  ;  and  the  Grand 
Incorporated  Lodge  shall  then  be  opened,  in  ample  form,  under  the 
style  and  title  of   "  The  UNITED  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ANCIENT  FREE- 
MASONS OF  ENGLAND. 

The  Grand  Officers  who  held  the  several  offices  before  (unless  such 
of  them  as  may  be  re-appointed)  shall  take  their  places,  as  Past  Grand 
Officers,  in  the  respective  degrees  which  they  held  before  ;  and  in 
case  either  or  both  of  the  present  Grand  Secretaries,  Pursuivants, 
and  Tylers,  should  not  be  re-appointed  to  their  former  situations, 
then  annuities  shall  be  paid  to  them  during  their  respective  lives  out 
of  the  Grand  Fund. 

VII.  ';  The  UNITED  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ANCIENT  FREEMASONS  OF 
ENGLAND"  shall  be  composed,  except  on  the  days  of  festival,  in  the 

14* 


298  ILLUSTRATIONS 

following  manner,  as  a  just  and  perfect  representative  of  the  whole 
Masonic  Fraternity  of  England;  that  is  to  say,  of 

The  GRAND  MASTER. 

Past  Grand  Masters. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 

Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters. 

Grand  Wardens. 

Provincial  Grand  Masters. 

Past  Grand  Wardens. 

Past  Provincial  Grand  Masters. 

Grand  Chaplain. 

Grand  Treasurer. 

Joint  Grand  Secretary,  or  Grand  Secretary,  if  there  be  only  one 

Grand  Sword-Bearer. 

Twelve  Grand  Stewards,  to  be  delegated  by  the  Stewards' 
Lodge,  from  among  their  Members  existing  at  the  Union ;  it 
being  understood  and  agreed,  that,  from  and  after  the  Union, 
an  annual  appointment  shall  be  made  of  the  Stewards,  if 
necessary. 

The  actual  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  Warranted  Lodges. 

Past  Masters  of  Lodges,  who  have  regularly  served  and  passed 
the  chair  before  the  day  of  Union,  and  who  have  continued, 
without  secession,  regular  contributing  Members  of  a  War- 
ranted Lodge.  It  being  understood,  that  of  all  Masters  who, 
from  and  after  the  day  of  the  said  Union,  shall  regularly 
pass  the  chair  of  their  respective  Lodges,  but  one  at  a 
time,  to  be  delegated  by  his  Lodge,  shall  have  a  right  to  sit 
and  vote  in  the  said  Grand  Lodge ;  so  that  after  the  decease 
of  all  the  regular  Past  Masters  of  any  regular  Lodge,  who  had 
attained  that  distinction  at  the  time  of  the  Union,  the  repre- 
sentation of  such  Lodge  shall  be  by  its  actual  Master.  War- 
dens, and  one  Past  Master  only. 

And  all  Grand  officers  in  the  said  respective  Grand  Lodges  shall 
retain  and  hold  their  rank  and  privileges  in  the  United  Grand 
Lodge,  as  Past  Grand  Officers,  including  the  present  Provincial 
Grand  Masters,  the  Grand  Treasurers.  Grand  Secretaries, 
and  Grand  Chaplains,  in  their  several  degrees,  according  to  the 
seniority  of  their  respective  appointments  ;  and  where  such 
appointments  shall  have  been  contemporaneous,  the  seniority 
shall  be  determined  by  lot.  In  all  other  respects  the  above 
shall  be  the  general  order  of  precedence  in  all  time  to  come ; 
with  this  express  provision,  that  no  Provincial  Grand  Master, 
hereafter  to  be  appointed,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the 
Grand  Lodge,  after  he  shall  have  retired  from  such  situation, 
unless  he  shall  have  discharged  the  duties  thereof  for  full  five 
years. 

VIII.  The  Representatives  of  the  several  Lodges  shall  sit  under 
their  respective  banners  according  to  seniority.  The  two  first  Lodges 
under  each  Grand  Lodge  to  draw  a  lot  in  the  first  place  for  priority  ; 
and  to  which  of  the  two  the  lot  No.  1  shall  fall,  the  other  to  rank  as 
No.  2 ;  and  all  the  other  Lodges  shall  fall  in  alternately  ;  that  is, 
the  Lodge  which  is  No.  2  of  the  Fraternity  whose  lot  it  shall  be  to 
draw  No.  1  shall  rank  as  No.  3  in  the  United  Grand  Lodge,  and  the 
Other  No.  2  shall  rank  as  No.  4,  and  so  on  alternately,  through  all  the 


OF    MASONRY.  299 

numbers  respectively.  And  this  shall  for  ever  after  be  the  order  and 
rank  of  the  Lodges  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  in  Grand  Processions, 
for  which  a  plan  and  drawing  shall  be  prepared  previous  to  the  Union! 
On  the  renewal  of  any  of  the  Lodges  now  dormant,  they  shall  take 
rank  after  all  the  Lodges  existing  at  the  Union,  notwithstanding  the 
numbers  in  which  they  may  now  stand  on  the  respective  rolls. 

IX.  The  United  Grand  Lodge  being  now  constituted,  the  first  pro- 
ceeding, after  solemn  prayer,  shall  be  to  read  and  proclaim  the  Act  of 
Union,  as  previously  executed  and  sealed  with  the  great  seals  of  the 
two  Grand  Lodges ;  after  which,  the  same  shall  be  solemnly  accepted 
by  the  Members  present.     A  day  shall  then  be  appointed  for  the 
installation  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  other  Grand  Officers,  with  duo 
solemnity;  upon  which  occasion,  the  Grand  Master  shall,  in  open 
Lodge,  with  his  own  hand,  affix  the  new  great  seal  to  the  said  instru- 
ment, which  shall  be  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the  United  Grand 
Lodge,  and  to  be  the  bond  of  union  among  the  Masons  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  England,  and  the  Lodges  dependant  thereon,  until  time 
shall  be  no  more.     The  said  new  great  seal  shall  be  made  for  the 
occasion,  and  shall  be  composed  out  of  both  -the  great  seals  now  in 
use;  after  which,  the  present  two  great  seals  shall  be  broken  and 
defaced ;  and  the  new  seal  shall  be  alone  used  in  all  warrants,  certifi- 
cates, and  other  documents,  to  be  issued  thereafter. 

X.  The  Regalia  of  the  Grand  Officers  shall  be,  in  addition  to  the 
white  gloves,  and  apron,  and  the  respective  jewels  or  emblems  of 
distinction,  garter-blue  and  gold ;  and  these  alone  shall  belong  to  the 
Grand  Officers,  present  and  past. 

XI.  Four  Grand  Lodges,  representing  the  Craft,  shall  be  held  for 
quarterly  communication  in  each  year,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  the 
months  of  March,  June,  September,  and  December ;  on  each  of  which 
occasions  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  the  warranted  Lodges  shall 
deliver  into  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Secretary  and  Grand  Treasurer 
a  faithful  list  of  all  their  contributing  Members ;  and  the  warranted 
Lodges  in  and  adjacent  to  London,  shall  pay  towards  the  grand  fund 
one  shilling  per  quarter  for  each  Member,  over  and  above  the  sum 
of  half-a-guinea  for  each  new  made  Member,  for  the  registry  of  his 
name ;  together  with  the  sum  of  one  shilling  to  the  Grand  Secretary, 
as  his  fee  for  the  same :  and  that  this  contribution  of  one  shilling  for 
each  Member  shall  be  made  quarterly,  and  each  quarter,  in  all  time 
to  come. 

XII.  At  the  Grand  Lodge  to  be  held  annually  on  the  first  Wed- 
nesday in  September,  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  elect  a  Grand  Master 
for  the  year  ensuing,  (who  shall  nominate  and  appoint  his  own  De- 
puty Grand  Master,  Grand  Wardens,  and  Secretary,)  and  they  shall 
also  nominate  three  fit  and  proper  persons  for  each  of  the  offices  of 
Treasurer,  Chaplain,   and  Sword-Bearer ;  out  of  which   the  Grand 
Master  shall,  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  the  month  of  December, 
choose  and  appoint  one  for  each  of  the  said  offices ;  and,  on  the  festi- 
val of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  then  next  ensuing,  or  on  such  other 
day  as  the  said  Grand  Master  shall  appoint,  there  shall  be  held  a 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  solemn  installation  of  all  the  said  Grand  Officers, 
according  to  ancient  custom. 

XIII.  After  the  day  of  the  Re-union,  as  aforesaid,   and  when  it 
shall  be   ascertained  what  are  the   obligations,   forms,   regulations, 
working,  and  instruction,  to  be  universally  established,  speedy  and 


300  ILLUSTRATIONS 

effectual  steps  shall  be  taken  to  obligate  all  the  Members  of  each 
Lodge  in  all  the  degrees,  according  to  the  form  taken  and  recognized 
by  the  Grand  Master,  Past  Grand  Masters,  Grand  Officers,  and 
Representatives  of  Lodges,  on  the  day  of  Re-union ;  and,  for  this 
purpose,  Jhe  worthy  and  expert  Master  Masons,  appointed  as  afore- 
said, shall  visit  and  attend  the  several  Lodges,  within  the  Bills  of 
Mortality,  in  rotation,  dividing  themselves  into  quorums  of  not  less 
than  three  each,  for  the  greater  expedition  :  and  they  shall  assist 
the  Master  and  Wardens  to  promulgate  and  enjoin  the  pure  and 
unsullied  system,  that  perfect  reconciliation,  unity  of  obligation, 
law,  working,  language,  and  dress,  may  be  happily  restored  to  tho 
English  Craft. 

XIV.  When  the  Master  and  Wardens  of  a  warranted  Lodge  shall 
report  to  the  Grand  Master,  to  his  satisfaction,  that  the  Members  of 
such  Lodge  have  taken  the  proper  enjoined  obligation,  and  have  con- 
formed to  the  uniform  working,  clothing,  &c.,  then  the  Most  Wor- 
shipful Grand  Master  shall  direct  the  new  great  seal  to  be  affixed  to 
their  warrant,  and  the  Lodge  shall  be  adjudged  to  be  regular,  and 
entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  the  Craft ;  a  certain  term  shall  be 
allowed  (to  be   fixed    by  the  Grand    Lodge)  for  establishing  this 
uniformity;  and  all  constitutional  proceedings  of  any  regular  Lodgo, 
which  shall  take  place  between  the  date  of  the  Union  and  the  term 
so  appointed,  shall  be  deemed  valid,  on  condition  that  such  Lodgo 
shall  conform  to  the  regulations  of  the  Union  within  the  time  appoint- 
ed ;  and  means  shall  be  taken  to  ascertain  the  regularity,  and  estab- 
lish the  uniformity,  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodges,  Military  Lodges, 
and  Lodges  holding  of  the  two  present  Grand  Lodges  in  distant 
parts ;  and  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  take  the 
most  effectual  measures  for  the  establishment  of  this  unity  of  doc- 
trine throughout  the  whole  community  of  Masons,  and  to.  declare  the 
warrants  to  be  forfeited,  if  the  measures  proposed  shall  be  resisted 
or  neglected. 

XV.  The  property  of  the  said  two  Fraternities,  whether  freehold, 
leasehold,  funded,  real,  or  personal,  shall  remain  sacredly  appropriate 
to  the   purposes  for  which  it  was  created;  it  shall  constitute  one 
grand  fund,  by  which  the  blessed  object  of  masonic  benevolence  may 
be  more  extensively  obtained.     It  shall  either  continue  under  the 
trusts  in  which,  whether  freehold,  leasehold,  or  funded,  the  separate 
parts  thereof  now  stand  ;  or  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  said  United 
Grand  Lodge,  at  any  time  hereafter,  to  add  other  names  to  the  said 
trusts ;  or,  in  case  of  the  death  of  any  one  Trustee,  to  nominate  and 
appoint  others  for  perpetuating  the  security  of  the  same ;  and,  in  no 
event,  and  for  no  purpose,  shall  the  said  united  property  be  diverted 
from  its  original  purpose.     It  being  understood  and  declared,  that  at 
any  time  after  the  Union,  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  to  incorporate  the  whole  of  the  said  property  and  funds  in  one 
and  the  same  set  of  Trustees,  who  shall  give  bond  to  hold  the  same 
in  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  the  United  Fraternity.     And  it  ib 
further  agreed,  that  the  Freemasons'  Hall  be  the  place  in  which  the 
United  Lodge    shall  be  held,  with  such  additions  made  thereto  as 
the  increased  numbers  of,  the  Fraternity,  thus  to  be  united,  may 
require. 

XVI.  The  fund  appropriate  to  the  objects  of  masonic  benevolence, 
shall  not  be  infringed  on  for  any  purpose,  but  shall  be  kept  strictly 


OF    MASONRY.  301 

and  solely  devoted  to  charity ;  and  pains  shall  be  taken  to  increase 
the  same. 

XVII.  A  revision  shall  be  made  of  the  rules  and  regulations  now 
established  and  in  force  in  the  two  Fraternities  ;  and  a  Code  of  Laws 
for  the  holding  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  of  private  Lodges,  and, 
generally,  for  the  whole  conduct  of  the  Craft,  shall  be  forthwith  pre- 
pared, and  a  new  book  of  Constitutions  be  composed  and  printed, 
under  the  superintendence  of  the  Grand  Officers,  and  with  the  sanc- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Done  at  the  Palace  of  Kensington,  this  25th  day  of  November,  in 
the  Year  of  our  Lord  1813,  and  of  Masonry  5813. 
EDWARD,  G.  M. 
THOMAS  HARPER,  D.  G.  M. 
JAMES  PERRY,  P.  D.  G.  M. 
JAMES  AGAR,  P.  D.  G.  M. 

In  Grand  Lodge,  this  first  day  of  December,  A.D.  1813.  Ratified 
and  Confirmed,  and  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  affixed. 

EDWARD,  G.  M. 


ROBERT  LESLIE,  G.  S. 
AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,  G.  M. 
WALLER  RODWELL  WRIGHT,  P.  G.  M.  Ionian  Isles. 
ARTHUR  TEGART,  P.  G.  W. 
JAMES  DEANS,  P.  G.  W. 

In  Grand  Lodge,  this  first  day  of  December,  A.D.  1813.     Ratified 
and  Confirmed,  and  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  affixed. 

AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,  G.  M. 


WILLIAM  H.  WHITE,  G.  S. 
A  meeting  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  in  pursuance  of  Article  V., 
-<vas  held  on  the  1st  of  December,  1813,  at  the  Crown  and  Anchor 
Tavern,  in  the  Strand.  The  articles  of  Union  were  laid  before  these 
Lodges,  and  received  with  masonic  acclamation ;  the  Articles  were 
unanimously  ratified  and  confirmed.  "  THE  LODGE  OF  RECONCILIA- 
TION "  was  then  constituted;  the  Royal  Grand  Masters,  respectively, 
having  nominated  the  following  Brethren  to  form  the  same  : 

Old  Institutions. 

R.  F.  Mestayer,  of  the  Lodge  No.  1. 

Thomas  Harper,  Jun.        -         -  1. 

J.  H.  Golds  worthy             .         -  2. 

W.  Fox            ....  4. 

J.Ronalds        ...         -  16. 

William  Oliver  77. 


302  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Michael  Corcoran     -        -        -     194. 
R.  Bayley         ....    240. 
James  M'Cann          -        -         -     244. 
And  Brother  Edwards  Harper,  Secretary  thereof. 

Constitution  of  England. 

Rev.  Samuel  Hemming,  D.D.,  of  the  Lodge  No.  384,  R.  W.  M. 

-William  Meyrick,  P.  M.     -         -  1,  S.  W. 

William  Shadbolt,  G.  Stewards'  Lodge       -  J.  W. 

Stephen  Jones,  P.  M.  1. 

Laurence  Thomson  54. 

Joseph  Jones  -  .  -        -        -        66. 

Jacob  Henry  Sarratt          -         -         -  118. 

Thomas  Bell  180. 

J.  Joyce  -  453. 

And  Brother  William  Henry  White,  Secretary  thereof. 
Their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Grand  Masters  then  signed  the  Arti- 
cles of  Union,  and  each  affixed  the  Great  Seal  thereto  in  Grand 
Lodge ;  and  the  same  was  countersigned  by  the  Grand  Secretary  of 
each  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges  respectively. 

GRAND  ASSEMBLY  OF  FREEMASONS,  FOR  T^E  UNION  OF  THE  Two 
GRAND  LODGES  OF  ENGLAND. 

On  St.  John's  Day,  27th  December.  1813. 

The  important  event  of  the  Re-union  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of 
England,  after  a  long  separation,  took  place,  with  great  solemnity, 
this  day. 

The  following  order  of  proceedings,  which  had  been  previously 
settled,  was  strictly  observed : 

Freemasons'  Hall  having  been  fitted  up  agreeably  to  a  plan  and 
drawing  for  the  occasion,  and  the  whole  house  tiled  from  the  outer 
porch  ;  the  platform  on  the  East  was  reserved  for  the  Grand  Masters, 
Grand  Officers,  and  Visitors. 

The  Masters,  Wardens,  and  Past  Masters  of  the  several  Lodges, 
who  had  been  previously  re-obligated  and  certified  by  the  LODGE  or 
RECONCILIATION,  and  provided  with  tickets,  signed  and  counter- 
signed by  the  two  Secretaries  thereof,  were  arranged  on  the  two 
sides  in  the  following  manner ;  that  is  to  say :  The  Masters  were 
placed  in  the  front.  The  Wardens  on  benches  behind.  The  Past 
Masters  on  rising  benches  behind  them.  And  the  Lodges  were 
ranked  so  that  the  two  Fraternities  were  completely  intermixed. 

The  Masters.  Wardens,  and  Past  Masters,  all  dressed  in  black, 
(regimentals  excepted.)  with  their  respective  insignia,  and  in  white 
aprons  and  gloves,  took  their  places  by  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 

The  Grand  Masters.  Past  Grand  Masters,  Deputy  Grand  Masters, 
Grand  Officers,  and  distinguished  Visitors  of  the  two  Fraternities, 
assembled  in  two  adjoining  rooms,  in  which  they  opened  two  Grand 
Lodges,  each  according  to  its  peculiar  solemnities,  and  the  Grand 
Procession  moved  towards  the  Hall  of  Assembly,  in  the  following 
order: 

Grand  Usher  w?rh  his  Staff.  Grand  Usher  with  his  Staff. 

The  Duke  of  Kent'n  Band  of  Music,  15  in  number,  nil  Masons,  three  and  three. 


OF    MASONRY.  303 

Two  Grand  Stewards.  Two  Grand  Stewards. 

A  cornucopia,  borne  by  a  Master  Mason      A  Cornucopia  borne  by  a  Master  Mason 

Two  Grand  Stewards.  Two  Grand  Stewards. 

Two  Golden  Ewers,  by  two  Master  Two  Golden  Ewers,  by  two  Master 

Masons.  Musons. 

The  nine  worthy  and  expert  Masons,         The  nine  worthy  and  expert  Masons, 

forming  forming 

The  Lodge  of  Reconciliation,  The  Lodge  of  Reconciliation, 

In  single  file,  rank  opposite  to  rank,  with  In  single  file,  rank  opposite  to  rank,  with 

The  Emblems  of  Masonry.  The  Emblems  of  Masonry. 

The  Grand  Secretary  bearing  the  Book      The  Grand  Secretary,  bearing  the  Book 

of  Constitutions,  and  Great  Seal.  of  Constitutions,  and  Great  Seal. 

The  Grand  Treasurer,  with  the  Golden      The  Grand  Treasurer  with  tue  Golden 

Key.  Key. 

The  Corinthian  Light.  The  Corinthian  Light. 

The  Pillar  of  the  Junior  Grand  Warden      The  Pillar  of  the  Junior  Grand  Warden 

on  a  Pedestal.  on  a  Pedestal. 

The  Junior  Grand  Warden,  with  his          The  Junior  Grand  Warden,  with  his 

Gavel.  Gavel. 

The  Deputy  Grand  Chaplain,  with  the 

Holy  Bible. 

The  Grand  Chaplain.  The  Grand  Chaplain  with  the  Holy  Bible 

Past  Grand  Wardens.  Past  Grand  Wardens. 

Provincial  Grand  Masters  with  their 

Gavels. 

The  Doric  Light.  The  Doric  Light. 

The  Pillar  of  the  Senior  Grand  Warden      The  Pillar  of  the  Senior  Grand  Warden 

on  a  Pedestal.  on  a  Pedestal. 

The  Senior  Grand  Warden  with  his  The  Senior  Grand  Warden,  with  his 

Gavel.  Gavel. 

Two  Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters. 

The  Deputy  Grand  Master.  The  Acting  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

His  Excellency  the  Count  de  Lagardje,  the  Swedish  Ambassador,  Grand  Master 
of  the  first  Lodge  of  the  North,  Visitor. 

The  Royal  Banner. 

The  Ionic  Light.  The  Ionic  Light. 

The  Grand  Sword  Bearer.  The  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

THE  THE 

GRAND  MASTER  OF  ENGLAND,  GRAND  MASTER  OF  ENGLAND, 

His  R.  H.  the  DUKE  of  KENT,  His  R.  H.  the  DUKE  of.  SUSSEX, 

with  the  Act  of  Union,  in  duplicate.  with  the  Act  of  Union,  in  duplicate. 

Two  Grand  Stewards.  Two  Grand  Stewards. 

Grand  Tyler.  Grand  Tyler. 

On  entering  the  Hall,  the  Procession  advanced  to  the  Throne,  and 
opened  and  faced  each  other,  the  music  playing  a  march  composed  for 
the  occasion. 

The  two  Grand  Masters  then  proceeded  up  the  centre,  followed  by 
the  Grand  Master  Visitor,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  &c..  all  in  the 
order  reversed ;  those  the  most  advanced  returning  in  single  file,  to 
turn,  re-advance,  and  take  their  places.  The  musicians  ranging  them- 
selves in  the  gallery  over  the  Throne.  The  Brothers  bearing  the  Cor- 
nucopias. Vases.  &c.,  placing  themselves  in  the  seats  assigned  them. 

The  two  Grand  Masters  seated  themselves,  in  tw,o  equal  chairs,  on 
each  side  of  the  Throne. 

The  Visiting  Grand  Master,  and  other  Visitors  of  Distinction,  were 
seated  on  each  side. 

The  other  Grand  Officers  and  Visitors  all  according  to  degree. 

The  Director  of  the  Ceremonies,  Sir  George  Nayler.  having  pro- 
claimed silence,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barry,  Grand  Chaplain  to  the  Fraternity 
under  the  Duke  of  Kent,  commenced  the  important  business  of  the 
Assembly  with  holy  prayer,  in  a  most  solemn  manner. 


304  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  Act  of  Union  was  then  read  by  the  Director  of  the  Ceremonies 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Coghlan,  Grand  Chaplain  to  the  Fraternity  under  the 
Duke  of  Sussex,  proclaimed  aloud,  after  sound  of  trumpet — ;;  Hear 
ye :  This  is  the  Act  of  Union,  engrossed,  in  confirmation  of  Articles 
solemnly  concluded  between  the  two  Grand  Lodges  of  Free  ami 
Accepted  Masons  of  England,  signed,  sealed,  and  ratified,  by  the  t\vo 
Grand  Lodges  respectively ;  by  which  they  are  to  be  hereafter,  and 
for  ever  known  and  acknowledged  by  the  style  and  title  of  Sbe 
fcluUetj  (Sranti  UoUjjc  of  £Kncfcnt  freemasons  of  Hnglantt.  How 
say  you.  Brothers,  Representatives  of  the  two  Fraternities?  Do  you 
accept  of,  ratify,  and  confirm  the  same  ?  To  which  the  Assembly 
answered,  "  We  do  accept,  ratify,  and  confirm  the  same."  The 
Grand  Chaplain  then  said,  ''And  may  the  Great  Architect  of  the 
Universe  make  the  Union  perpetual !"  To  which  all  the  Assembly 
replied,  "  So  mote  it  be."  The  two  Grand  Masters  and  six  Commis- 
sioners signed  the  Instruments,  and  the  two  Grand  Masters  then 
affixed  the  Great  Seals  of  their  respective  Grand  Lodges  to  the  same. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Barry,  after  sound  of  trumpet,  then  proclaimed — "Be 
it  known  to  all  men,  That  the  Act  of  Union  between  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  England  is  solemnly  signed, 
sealed,  ratified,  and  confirmed,  and' the  two  Fraternities  are  one,  to  bo 
from  henceforth  known  and  acknowledged  by  the  style  and  title  of 
&|)e  Shift ctt  ffiranti  ILofcge  of  Slnn'nU  freemasons  of  EnfllanO;  and 
may  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  make  their  Union  perpetual !" 
And  the  Assembly  said,  "  Amen."  Brother  Wesley,  who  was  at  the 
organ,  performed  a  symphony. 

The  two  Grand  Masters,  with  their  respective  Deputies  and  Wardens, 
then  advanced  to  the  Ark  of  the  Masonic  Covenant,  prepared  under 
the  direction  of  the  W.  Brother  John  Soane,  R.  A.  Grand  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Works,  for  the  Edifice  of  the  Union,  and  in  all  time  to 
come  to  be  placed  before  the  Throne. 

The  Grand  Masters  standing  in  the  East,  with  their  Deputies  on  the 
right  and  left;  the  Grand  Wardens  in  the  West  and  South;  the 
square,  the  plumb,  the  level,  and  the  mallet,  were  successively  deliv- 
ered to  the  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  and  by  them  presented  to  the 
two  Grand  Masters,  who  severally  applied  the  square  to  that  part  of 
the  said  Ark  which  is  square,  the  plumb  to  the  sides  of  the  same, 
and  the  level  above  it  in  three  positions ;  and,  lastly,  they  gave  it 
three  knocks  with  the  mallet;  saying,  ';  May  the  Great  Architect  of 
the  Universe  enable  us  to  uphold  the  Grand  Edifice  of  Union,  of  which 
this  Ark  of  the  Covenant  is  the  symbol,  which  shall  contain  within  it 
the  instruments  of  our  brotherly  love,  and  bear  upon  it  the  Holy 
Bible,  square,  and  compass,  as  the  light  of  our  faith,  and  the  rule  of 
our  works.  May  He  dispose  our  hear  tsto  make  it  perpetual !"  And 
the  brethren  said,  t;  So  mote  it  be." 

The  two  Grand  Masters  placed  the  said  Act  of  .Union  in  the  inte- 
rior of  the  said  Ark. 

The  cornucopia,  the  wine,  and  oil,  were  in  like  manner  presented  to 
the  Grand  Masters,  who,  according  to  ancient  rite,  poured  forth  corn, 
wine,  and  oil,  on  the  said  Ark,  saying — '%Aswe  pour- forth  corn,  wine, 
and  oil,  on  this  Ark  of  the  Masonic  Covenant,  may  the  bountiful 
hand  of 'Heaven  ever  supply  this  United  Kingdom  with  abundance  of 
corn,  wine,  and  oil,  with  all  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of  life ;  and 
may  He  dispose  our  hearts  to  be  grateful  for  all  his  gifts !"  And  the 


OP    MASONRY.  305 

Assembly  said,  "AMEN."  The  Grand  Officers  then  resunc.ed  their 
places. 

A  letter  was  read  from  the  R.  W.  Brother  Lawrie,  Grand  Secretary 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland,  transmitting  Resolutions  of  that 
Grand  Lodge,  in  answer  to  the  letter  of  the  M.  W.  the  Grand  Masters 
of  the  two  Grand  Lodges,  announcing  to  them  the  happy  event  of  the 
Union,  and  requesting  them  to  appoint  a  deputation,  agreeably  to 
Art.  IV.  of  the  Act  of  Union.  And  it  was  ordered  that  these  Resolu- 
tions be  inserted  on  the  minutes  of  this  day. 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  the  W.  Brother  W.  F.  Graham,  Deputy 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ireland,  transmitting  Reso- 
lutions of  that  Grand  Lodge,  in  answer  to  a  similar  communication 
from  their  Royal  Highnesses  the  two  Grand  Masters  of  the  respective 
Fraternities  in  England.  It  was  ordered  that  these  resolutions  be 
entered  on  the  minutes  of  this  day. 

In  consequence  of  its  having  been  found  impracticable,  from  the 
shortness  of  the  notice,  for  the  Sister  Grand  Lodges  to  send  deputa- 
tions to  this  Assembly,  according  to  the  urgent  request  of  the  two 
Fraternities,  conferences  had  been  held  with  all  the  most  distinguished 
Grand  Officers  and  enlightened  Masons  resident  in  and  near  London, 
in  order  to  establish  perfect  agreement  upon  all  the  essential  points  of 
Masonry,  according  to  the  ancient  traditions  and  general  practice  of 
the  Craft.  The  Members  of  the  Lodge  of  Reconciliation,  accompanied 
by  the  Most  Worshipful  his  Excellency  Count  de  Lagardje,  Grand 
Master  of  the  First  Lodge  of  Freemasons  in  the  North,  the  Most  Wor- 
shipful Dr.  Van  Hess,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Hamburgh,  and  other 
distinguished  Masons,  withdrew  to  an  adjoining  apartment,  where, 
being  congregated  and  tiled,  the  result  of  all  the  previous  conferences 
was  made  known. 

The  Members  of  the  Lodge  of  Reconciliation,  and  the  distinguished 
Visitors,  on  their  return,  proceeded  slowly  up  the  centre  in  double 
file;  and  as  they  approached  the  two  Grand  Masters  they  opened,  and 
the  Grand  Visitors  advanced ;  when  his  Excellency  the  Grand  Master 
of  the  First  Lodge  of  the  North  audibly  pronounced  that  the  forms 
settled  -and  agreed  on  by  the  Lodge  of  Reconciliation  were  pure  and 
correct.  This  being  declared,  the  same  was  recognized  as  the  forms 
to  be  alone  observed  and  practised  in  the  United  Grand  Lodge,  and  all 
the  Lodges  dependant  thereon,  until  time  shall  be  no  more. 

The  Jfyol£  iJfble,  spread  open,  with  the  square  and  compasses  there- 
on,, was  laid  on  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  and  the  two  Grand  Chap- 
lains approached  the  same.  The  recognized  obligation  was  then  pro- 
nounced aloud  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hemming,  one  of  the  Masters  of  the 
Lodge  of  Reconciliation ;  the  whole  Fraternity  repeating  the  same, 
with  joined  hands,  and  declaring,  "  By  this  solemn  obligation  we  vow 
to  abide,  and  the  Regulations  of  Ancient  Freemasonry  now  recognized 
strictly  to  observe."  • 

The  Assembly  then  proceeded  to  constitute  one  Grand  Lodge ;  in 
order  to  which,  the  Grand  Masters,  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  Grand 
Wardens,  and  other  acting  Grand  Officers  of  both  Fraternities, 
divested  themselves  of  their  insignia,  and  Past  Grand  Officers  took 
the  chairs ;  viz.,  the  R.  W.  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master  Perry  in  the 
chair,  as  Deputy  Grand  Master ;  the  R.  W.  Robert  Gill,  as  Senior 
Grand  Warden;  and  the  R.  W.  James  Deans,  as  Junior  Grand 
Warden. 


306  ILLUSTRATIONS 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Kent  then,  iii  an  eloquent  address, 
stated  that  the  great  view  with  which  he  had  taken  upon  himself  the 
important  office  of  Grand  Master  of  the  Ancient  Fraternity,  as  de- 
clared at  the  time,  was  to  facilitate  the  important  object  of  the  Union 
which  had  been  that  day  so  happily  concluded.  And  now  it  was  his 
intention  to  propose  his  illustrious  and  dear  relative  to  be  the  Grand 
Master  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge;  for  which  high  office  he  was  in 
every  respect  so  eminently  qualified.  He  therefore  proposed  his 
Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex  to  be  Grand  Master  of  the  United 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  England  for  the  year  ensuing. 
This  was  seconded  by  the  R.  W.  the  Hon.  Washington  Shirley  ;  and 
being  put  to  the  vote,  was  unanimously  carried  in  the  affirmative,  with 
masonic  honours. 

His  Royal  Highness  was  placed  on  the  Throne  by  the  Duke  of 
Kent  and  the  Count  Lagardje,  and  solemnly  obligated.  The  Gryid 
Installation  was  fixed  for  St.  George's  Day. 

Proclamation  was  then  made,  that  the  most  Worshipful  Prince 
Augustus  Frederick,  Duke  of  Sussex,  Earl  of  Inverness,  Baron  Arklow, 
Knight  Companion  of  the  Most  Noble  Order  of  the  Garter,  was  elected 
and  enthroned  Grand  Master  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Ancient 
Freemasons  of  England.  And  his  Royal  Highness  received  the  homage 
of  the  Fraternity. 

H.  R.  H.  the  Grand  Master  then  nominated  the  Grand  Officers  for 
the  year  ensuing  ;  and,  as  it  will  be  interesting  to  all  our  masonic  readers 
to  know  who  were  the  first  officers  under  the  Union,  we  shall  here 
insert  their  names  : 

Brother  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hemming,  D.D.,  Senior  Grand  Warden. 
Isaac  Lindo,  Esq  ......         Junior  Grand  Warden. 

John  Dent,  Esq  .......         Grand  Treasurer. 

William  Meyrick,  Esq.      .     .     .         Grand  Registrar. 

William  Heury  White       .     .     .      £  Grand  Secretaries. 
Edwards  Harper  ......      $ 

Rev.  Edward  Barry?  D.D.       .  )  ^       j  r«v.     i  • 

T      •       n     ui  i        T\  T-k  f  Grand  Chaplains. 

Rev.  Lucias  Coghlan,  D.D.    .     .      £ 

Rev.  Henry  Isaac  Knapp      .     .         Deputy  Grand  Chaplain. 


John  Soane,  Esq.  .     .... 

Sir  George  N.yler    .....    j  G^±T  r  °f  «" 

Captain  Jonathan  Parker  .     .     .  Grand  Sword  Bearer. 

Samuel  Wesley,  Esq  .....  Grand  Organist. 

Benjamin  Aldhouse  .....  Grand  Usher. 

William  V.  Salmon  .....  Grand  Tyler. 

It  was  then  solemnly  proclaimed,  that  the  two  Grand  Lodges  were 
incorporated  and  consolidated  into  one,  and  the  Grand  Master  de- 
clared it  to  be  open  in  due  form  according  to  ancient  usage. 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  then  called  to  refreshment  ;  and  the  cup  of 
Brotherly  Love  was  delivered  by  the  Junior  Grand  Warden  to  the 
Past  Deputy  Grand  Master,  who  presented  the  same  to  the  Grand 
Master;  he  drank  to  the  Brethren  —  "PeaTce,  good  will,  and  brotherly 
love,  all  over  the  world;"  —  and  he  passed  it.  During  its  going  round 
the  vocal  band  performed  a  song  and  glee. 


OF    MASONRY.  307 

The  Grand  Lodge  was  re- called  to  labour;  when,  as  the  first  act  of 
the  United  Fraternity,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Kent,  after 
an  elegant  introduction,  moved — "That  an  humble  Address  be  pre- 
sented to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Regent,  respectfully  to  ac- 
quaint him  with  the  happy  event  of  the  Re- union  of  the  two  Grand 
Lodges  of  Ancient  Freemasons  of  England — an  event  which  cannot 
fail  to  afford  lively  satisfaction  to  their  illustrious  Patron,  who 
presided  for  so  many  years  over  one  of  the  Fraternities,  and  under 
whose  auspices  Freemasonry  has  risen  to  its  present  flourishing  con- 
dition. That  the  unchangeable  principles  of  the  Institution  are  well 
known  to  his  Royal  Highness,  and  the  great  benefits  and  end  of  this 
Re-union  are  to  promote  the  influence  and  operation  of  these  princi- 
ples, by  more  extensively  inculcating  loyalty  and  affection  to  their 
Sovereign — obedience  to  the  laws  and  magistrates  of  their  country — 
and  the  practice  of  all  the  religious  and  moral  duties  of  life — objects 
which  must  ever  be  dear  to  his  Royal  Highness  in  the  Government  of 
his  Majesty's  United  Kingdom.  That  they  humbly  hope  and  pray 
for  the  continuance  of  the  sanction  of  his  Royal  Highness's  fraternal 
patronage ;  and  that  they  beg  leave  to  express  their  fervent  gratitude 
for  the  many  blessings  which,  in  common  with  all  their  fellow-sub- 
jects, they  derive  from  his  benignant  sway.  That  the  Great  Archi- 
tect of  the  Universe  may  long  secure  these  blessings  to  them  and  to 
their  country,  by  the  preservation  of  his  Royal  Highness,  their  illus- 
trious Patron!"  This  motion  was  seconded  by  the  Honourable 
Washington  Shirley,  and  passed  unanimously,  and  with  masonic 
honours. 

This  was  followed  by  a  motion, — "  That  the  grateful  thanks  of  this 
United  Lodge  be  given  to  the  Most  Worshipful  their  Royal  High- 
nesses the  Duke  of  Kent  and  Duke  of  Sussex,  for  the  gracious  con- 
descension with  which  they  yielded  to  the  prayer  of  the  united  Fra- 
ternities to  take  upon  themselves  the  personal  conduct  of  the  negotia- 
tion for  a  Re-union,  which  is  this  day,  through  their  zeal,  concilia- 
tion, and  fraternal  example,  so  happily  completed.  To  state  to  them 
that  the  removal  of  all  the  slight  differences  which  have  so  long  kept 
the  brotherhood  asunder,  will  be  the  means  of  establishing  in  the 
Metropolis  of  the  British  Empire  one  splendid  edifice  of  Ancient 
Freemasonry,  to  which  the  whole  masonic  World  may  confidently 
look  for  the  maintenance  and  preservation  of  the  pure  principles  of 
the  Craft,  as  handed  down  to  them  from  time  immemorial  under  the 
protection  of  the  illustrious  branches  of  the  Royal  House  of  Bruns- 
wick ;  and  may  their  Royal  Highnesses  have  the  heartfelt  satisfaction 
of  long  beholding  the  beneficent  effects  of  their  work,  in  the  extension 
and  practice  of  the  virtues  of  loyalty,  morality,  brotherly  love,  and 
benevolence,  which  it  has  been  ever  the  great  object  of  Masonry  to 
inculcate,  and  of  its  laws  to  enforce."  This  was  also  unanimously 
approved ;  and  was  followed  by  a  motion  of  thanks  to  the  six  Com- 
missioners appointed  by  the  two  Fraternities  to  assist  the  illustrious 
Princes  in  the  said  negotiation — for  the  zeal,  conciliation,  and  ability, 
with  which  they  discharged  their  important  trust  therein. 

The  following  Resolutions  were  also  severally  put,  and  carried  in 
the  affirmative  unanimously. 

That  Books  be  opened  by  the  Grand  Secretaries  for  the  regular 
entry  and  record  of  the  proceedings  of  this  United  Grand  Lodge ; 


808  ILLUSTRATIONS 

• 

and  that  there  be  inserted  therein,  in  the  first  instance,  an  account  of 
all  the  Resolutions  and  Proceedings  of  both  Grand  Lodges  with  re- 
spect to  the  negotiation  for  the  Union,  and  of  the  conferences  of  the 
Commissioners  thereon ;  together  with  a  copy  of  the  Articles  of 
Union,  and  the  confirmation  thereof ;  also  copies  of  the  letters  written 
by  their  Royal  Highnesses  the  two  Grand  Masters,  and  Grand  Secre- 
taries, addressed  to  the  Most  Worshipful  the  Grand  Masters  and 
Grand  Secretaries  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  announcing  the  same, 
together  with  the  Resolutions  of  the  Grand  Lodges  in  reply. 

That  the  proceedings  of  this  day  be  communicated  to  the  Grand 
Lodges  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  to  express  to  them  that  this 
United  Grand  Lodge  feels,  with  the  most  sensible  satisfaction,  the 
fraternal  interest  which  they  take  in  the  important  event  of  this  day. 
To  assure  them  that  it  is  the  anxious  desire  of  this  Grand  Lodge  to 
maintain  the  most  constant,  cordial,  and  intimate  communion  with  the 
sister  Grand  Lodges  of  the  United  Kingdom ;  to  which  end  they  are 
persuaded  that  nothing  is  so  essential  as  the  preservation  of  one  pure 
and  unsullied  system,  founded  on  the  simple  and  ancient  traditions  of 
the  Craft. 

Several  other  Resolutions  were  also  passed  relative  to  the  internal 
management  of  the  Fraternity ;  after  which  the  United  Grand  Lodge 
was  closed  in  ample  form,  and  with  solemn  prayer. 


OF    MASONRY. 


309 


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310  ILLUSTRATIONS 

SECT.    XVII. 

History  of  Masonry  from  1813  to  1820. 

MASONRY  is,  in  itself,  of  so  retiring  and  unobtrusive  a 
nature,  that,  except  in  the  case  of  processions,  &c.,  it 
rarely  comes  in  contact  with  the  public.  We  have, 
however,  to  record,  that  in  January,  18J5,  it  came  under 
the  cognizance  of  the  law,  in  an  action  tried  in  the  Palace 
Court,  Westminster,  wherein  Thomas  Smith  was  plaintiff, 
and  William  Finch  defendant. 

The  plaintiff  was  a  copper-plate  printer  ;  and  the 
action  was  brought  to  recover  4/.  2s.,  being  the  amount 
of  work  done  for  the  defendant.  A  plea  was  set  up  by 
Finch,  stating,  that  the  plaintiff  was  indebted  to  him 
161.  19s.  6d.  for  making  him  a  Mason,  and  giving  him 
instructions  in  the  various  degrees  in  his  Independent 
Lodge,  at  his  own  house  near  Westminster-bridge.  It 
was  proved  by  the  evidence  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hemming, 
Past  Senior  Grand  Warden,  as  well  as  of  Mr.  White  and 
Mr.  Harper,  Joint  Secretaries  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  that 
the  defendant  was  not  authorized  to  make  Masons ;  on 
the  contrary,  that  his  whole  system  was  an  imposition 
on  the  parties  who  were  so  deceived  by  him ;  and  that 
no  man  had  a  right  to  make  Masons  for  private  emolu- 
ment. The  trial  occupied  a  considerable  portion  of  time  ; 
and,  after  an  excellent  charge  from  the  judge,  stating,  that 
from  the  whole  evidence  it  appeared  that  Finch's  conduct 
was  altogether  unjustifiable ;  that  he  could  neither  make 
Masons  nor  procure  them  admission  to  any  Lodge,  and 
that  he  was  totally  disavowed  by  the  Fraternity,  the  jury, 
without  hesitation,  gave  a  verdict  against  Finch,  to  the 
full  amount  of  the  printer's  demand. 

In  the  year  1816,  Freemasonry  was  revived  in  Russia, 
under  the  protection  of  his  Imperial  Majesty  the  Emperor; 
and  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Astrea,  at  St.-  Petersburg!!,  for- 
warded a  communication  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England, 
inviting  that  august  body  to  hold  a  regular  correspondence 
with  it ;  and  also  a  reciprocal  admission  of  Brethren  of 
the  two  countries  who  should  bear  proper  certificates  or 
diplomas.  The  letter  was  ordered  to  be  recorded  in  the 
proceedings  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  his  Royal  Highness 


OF    MASONRY.  311 

the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  was  solicited  to  reply  to  the 
communication,  and  to  express  the  great  satisfaction  the 
Grand  Lodge  felt  at  the  revival*bf  Freemasonry  in  Russia, 
and  the  cheerfulness  with  which  it  embraced  the  proposals 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Astrea. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1819,  a  Grand  Masonic 
Festival  took  place  at  Bath ;  being  the  DEDICATION  of  the 
BATH  MASONIC  HALL,  with  all  the  splendid  ceremonials 
which  characterize  the  public  processions  of  our  ancient 
and  honourable  Fraternity. 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex,  Grand  Master 
of  the  Order,  having  graciously  signified  his  intention  of 
honouring  the  ceremony  with  his  august  presence,  the 
meeting  assumed  the  higher  title  of  an  Assembly  of  the 
SUPREME  GRAND  LODGE  OF  ENGLAND,  instead  of  that  of 
a  Provincial  Grand  Lodge. 

Theprocession  moved  from  the  Guildhall,  to  the  number 
of  between  800  and  900  Brethren,  decorated  with  their 
different  orders,  emblems,  ensigns,  and  ornaments,  many 
of  them  of  the  most  elegant  and  costly  description.  The 
Royal  Grand  Master  joined  the  procession  at  York  House, 
and  walked  uncovered  to  the  Masonic  Hall,  returning 
most  graciously  the  salutations  of  the  immense  throngs, 
consisting  of  nearly  the  whole  population  of  the  city  and 
surrounding  country  ;  who,  delighted  with  the  interesting 
appearance  of  the  sacred  Craft,  gave  way  for  them  to  pass 
unobstructed,  and  otherwise  conducted  themselves  in  the 
most  orderly  and  admirable  manner.  In  the  procession, 
the  appearance  of  a  venerable  Brother,  with  four  of  his 
sons,  formed  a  principal  feature  in  one  of  the  Lodges, 
and  was  pointed  out  as  a  truly  interesting  sight. 

The  Ceremony  was  honoured  with  the  presence  of 

His  Royal  Highness  AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK 

DUKE  OF  SUSSEX, 
K.G.  and  M.W.G.M.  of  ENGLAND. 

His  Grace  the  DUKE  of  LEINSTER,  K.P.  and  M.W.G.M.  of 
IRELAND. 

The  Hon.  WASHINGTON  SHIRLEY,  R.W.P.G.M.  for 
WARWICKSHIRE. 

Sir  CHARLES  WARWICK  BAMPFYLDE,  Bart,,  R.W.P.G.M.  for 

DEVONSHIRE. 

Sir  WM.  C.  DE  CRESPIGNY,  Bart.,  M.P.  and  R.W.P.G.M.  for 
HAMPSHIRE. 


• 

312  ILLUSTRATIONS 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  Esq.,  M.P.  and  R.W.P.G.M.  for 
DORSETSHIRE. 

W.  H.  GOLDWYER,  Esq.,  R.W.P.G.M.  for  BRISTOL. 

And  many  of  the  M.W.  Officers  of  the  GRAND  LODGE  of  ENGLAND, 
with  the  OFFICERS  of  the  several  PROVINCIAL  GRAND  LODGES  of 
GLOUCESTERSHIRE,  DEVONSHIRE,  BRISTOL,  SOMERSET,  DORSET, 
HANTS,  and  WARWICKSHIRE. 

Tht  following  were  the  Lodges  that  attended : — 
Grand  Lodge  of  England. 
Somerset  Provincial  Grand  Lodge. 
Devon  ditto 

Gloucester    ditto 
Bristol  ditto 

Dorset  ditto 

Hants  ditto 

Warwick       ditto 
BATH     Royal  Cumberland  Lodge. 

Royal  York  Lodge  of  Perfect  Friendship. 

Lodge  of  Virtue. 

Royal  Sussex  Lodge. 

BRISTOL  Moira. 

Beaufort. 

Jerusalem. 

Royal  Lodge  of  York  Union. 

Royal  Sussex  Lodge  of  Hospitality. 

Mariners. 

Also  the  respective  Lodges  of 


NEWBURY. 

POOLE. 

WEYMOUTH. 

SHAFTESBURY. 

BLANDFORD. 

SHEPTON. 


BRIDGEWATER. 

ClRENCESTER. 

SALISBURY. 
BRADFORD. 
HINDON. 

SWINDON. 


The  Officers  and  Brethren  of  the  several  Lodges  assem- 
bled in  the  Great  Banqueting  Room  of  the  Guildhall,  at 
an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  and,  at  eleven  o'clock,  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  opened  in  ample  form.  The  procession 
moved  up  High-Street,  through  Broad-Street,  York- 
Buildings,  Milsom-Street,  Burton-Street,  Union-Street, 
Stall-Street,  and  York -Street,  to  the  Hall,  in  the  following 
order : 

The  Grand  Tyler. 
A  BAND  OF  MUSIC. 

Brethren,  not  members  of  any  Lodge,  two  and  two. 

The  above  enumerated  Lodges,  according  to  their  numbers,  the 

Juniors  walking  first. 

A  BAND  OF  MUSIC. 


OF    MASONRY.  313 

Members  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  of  the  County  of  Somerset, 


viz. 


Provincial  Grand  Tyler. 

Provincial  Grand  Organist. 

Provincial  Grand  Sword-Bearer. 

Provincial  Grand  Superintendent  of  Works. 

Provincial  Grand  Director  of  Ceremonies. 

Provincial  Grand  Deacons. 

Provincial  Grand  Secretary. 

Provincial  Grand  Registrar,  bearing  the  Seal  of  the 

Provincial  Grand  Lodge. 

Provincial  Grand  Treasurer. 

Provincial  Grand  Chaplain. 

Provincial  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

Provincial  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

A  BAND  OF  MUSIC. 

A  Steward.   5     Baimer  °f  ^  jj[^dGrimd  ^^      \  A  Steward- 

Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England. 

The  Grand  Usher  with  his  staff. 

Two  Grand  Stewards. 

Grand  Organist. 

Grand  Superintendent  of  Works. 
Grand  Director  of  Ceremonies. 

Grand  Deacons. 

The  Grand  Secretary  bearing  the  Book  of  Constitutions. 

The  Grand  Registrar,  bearing  the  Great  Seal. 

The  Grand  Treasurer. 

The  Grand  Chaplain. 

Provincial  Grand  Masters,  each  preceded  by  his  Banner. 

Deputy  Provincial114  Grand  Master  for  Somerset. 

The  pillar  of  the  Junior  Grand  Warden. 

The  Junior  Grand  Warden. 
The  pillar  of  the  Senior  Grand  Warden.116 

The  Senior  Grand  Warden. 

The  Right  Worshipful  the  Deputy  Grand  Master. 
Visitor.     His  Grace   the    Duke   of     } 
LEINSTER,  Grand  Master  of         V  A  Steward. 


A  Steward. 


Ireland,  preceded  by  his  Banner. 
The  Banner  of  H.  R.  H.  the  Duke 


A  Steward.  Q£  Sugsex>  Grand  Master. 

Grand  Sword- Bearer. 


[I14  Vice  the  P.  G.  M.,  absent,  through  indisposition.] 
115  In  consequence  of  an  irregularity  on  the  part  of  one  of  the 
Lodges  attending  this  meeting,  it  may  be  useful  for  the  masonic  world 
to  know,  that  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  has  given  directions,  that  in 
all  future  processions,  whether  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge,  or  of  a 
Provincial  one,  the  Wardens  of  the  subordinate  Lodges  cannot  bo 
permitted  to  carry  their  columns. 

15 


314  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Two  Stewards 


C      The  Most  Worshipful  Grand  } 

.  <        Master,  his  Royal  Highness  V  Two  Stewards. 

(        The  DUKE  OF  SUSSEX.  > 
Two  Grand  Stewards. 

Two  Stewards.  5     The  ^^^"prt^"  **'  ^     I  Two  Stewards' 

Grand  Stewards. 

Grand  Tyler. 

When  the  head  of  the  procession  arrived  at  the  Hall, 
the  Brethren  divided  to  the  right  and  left,  for  the  Most 
Worshipful  Grand  Master,  his  Officers,  the  Provincial 
Grand  Masters,  &c.,  to  pass  up  the  centre,  preceded  by 
their  banners.  None  but  Masters,  Past  Masters,  Wardens, 
and  the  several  Provincial  Grand  Lodges,  were  present  at 
the  DELEGATION,  which  ceremony  was  performed  by  the 
Royal  Grand  Master  with  most  impressive  effect ;  in  the 
course  of  which  were  introduced  occasional  strains  of 
instrumental  music,  and  the  duet  of  "Here  shall  Soft 
Charity"  by  Brothers  Harrington  and  Rolle.  The 
members  then  returned  in  due  order  to  the  Guildhall, 
where  they  met  their  other  Brethren,  and  immediately 
afterwards  the  Royal  Grand  Master  entered  the  large 
room,  where  the  Lodge  had  been  opened. 

His  Royal  Highness  then  addressed  the  Brethren  in  an 
oration  replete  with  the  most  affectionate  sentiments, 
and,  in  the  true  spirit  of  Masonry,  identifying  himself 
with  those  by  whom  he  was  surrounded.  He  expressed 
the  very  great  satisfaction  he  enjoyed  at  the  kind  manner 
in  which  he  had  been  received,  and  said  he  had  journeyed 
from  town  actuated  by  the  same  fraternal  feelings.  His 
Royal  Highness  proceeded  to  enlarge  upon  several  points 
connected  with  the  Sacred  Order,  which  it  would  be 
improper  to  publish.  He  felt  the  highest  •ratification  in 
observing  that  the  spirit  and  principles  of  Masonry  were 
daily  extending  themselves.  It  was  an  Institution,  the 
rules  of  which,  if  duly  followed,  could  not  fail  to  make 
its  Brethren  valuable  members  of  society.  Some  years 
ago,  when  all  other  secret  societies  were  looked  upon 
by  the  legislature  of  the  country  with  a  jealous  eye, 
the  government  had  expressed  itself  satisfied  of  the 
honest  intentions  of  the  members  of  this  Institution :  a 
protection  and  approbation  for  which  the  Craft  were  in 
a  great  measure  indebted  to  the  exertions  of  their  patron, 


OF    MASONRY.  315 

his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Regent,  and  their  most 
Noble  Brother  the  Marquis  of  Hastings,  now  Governor- 
General  of  India.  His  Royal  Highness  concluded  his 
address  amidst  the  most  enthusiastic  marks  of  approbation 
from  the  assembled  Brethren ;  indeed,  the  fraternal  spirit 
which  breathed  throughout  the  whole  of  his  Royal 
Highnesses  speech  excited  feelings  in  the  auditors  which 
it  would  be  impossible  for  us  adequately  to  describe. 

The  officers  of  the  several  Provincial  Grand  Lodges 
were  then  individually  presented  to  his  Royal  Highness, 
and  were  delighted  with  the  condescending  and  fraternal 
manner  in  which  they  were  received ;  after  which  the 
Lodge  was  closed  in  due  form,  and  the  Brethren 
adjourned. 

About  six  o'clock  the  Brethren,  amounting  to  between 
four  and  five  hundred  in  number,  sat  down  to  a  most 
elegant  dinner,  at  the  Kingston  Rooms.  His  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex  presided,  supported  on  his 
left  by  his  Grace  the  Duke  of  Leinster,  the  table  at  which 
he  sat  being  elevated  above  the  others.  The  several 
Provincial  Grand  Officers  had  the  privilege  of  being 
admitted  to  the  table  of  the  M.  W.  G.  Master.  At  inter- 
vals, during  dinner,  his  Royal  Highness,  in  the  most 
condescending  manner,  invited  the  Brothers  at  each  table 
separately,  to  take  a  cup  of  good  fellowship  with  him. 
On  the  removal  of  the  cloth,  his  Royal  Highness  gave  a 
variety  of  masonic  and  other  toasts,  introducing  each  in 
the  happiest  way  ;  the  first  being : — "  The  King,  God  bless 
him;"  after  which  the  national  anthem,  God  save  the 
King,  was  sung,  the  whole  of  the  company  standing  and 
joining  in  chorus  with  heart  and  voice.  Between  each 
toast  the  party  were  much  delighted  with  some  most 
beautiful  glees  sung  by  the  professional  Brethren  present 
with  infinite  taste  and  science. 

About  ten  o'clock  the  Duke  of  Sussex  took  his  leave 
of  the  company,  amid  peals  of  applause,  the  heart  of 
each  Brother  present  overflowing  with  zeal,  gratitude, 
and  affection,  elicited  by  the  remarkable  amenity  of  his 
manners  and  the  attention  he  had  shown  to  every  Mason 
present.  The  Duke  of  Leinster  then  took  the  chair  for 
a  short  time,  when  the  health  of  his  Royal  Highness  was 
ugain  drunk  with  the  utmost  enthusiasm. 

The  fraternal  band  did  not  break  up  till  a  late  hour. 


316  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  next  day  (his  Royal  Highness  having  first  received 
the  Sheriffs  of  Bristol,  deputed,  we  believe,  to  invite  his 
Royal  Highness  to  that  city)  the  Royal  Duke  arrived  at 
the  Guildhall,  where  he  was  received  by  the  Mayor,  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  Body  Corporate,  in  their  ,civic 
robes.  Being  ushered  into  the  Banqueting  Room,  G.  H. 
Tugwell,  Esq.,  (the  Mayor)  addressed  the  Royal  Visitor 
in  nearly  the  following  words : — 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  present  to  your  Royal  Highness  the  FREE- 
DOM OF  THE  ANC'iisNT  AND  LOYAL  CITY  OF  BATH,  which  has  been 
unanimously  voted  to  your  Royal  Highness,  by  the  Mayor,  Aldermen, 
mid  Common  Council,  in  Common  Hall  assembled ;  and  which  we 
humbly  beg  your  Royal  Highness  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  accept, 
as  a  proof  of  our  most  profound  respect  for  your  Royal  person,  and 
of  our  firm  attachment  to  your  illustrious  house." 

The  Freedom  was  delivered  to  his  Royal  Highness  in 
a  gold  box,  of  exquisite  workmanship,  on  the  inside  of 
which  the  Bath  Arms  were  admirably  engraved — the 
outside  was  beautifully  chased  in  coloured  gold;  the 
border  displaying  the  rose,  thistle,  and  shamrock. 

His  Royal  Highness  then  addressed  the  Corporation  in 
a  manner  at  once  eloquent,  affable,  and  dignified ;  the 
substance  of  which  is  embodied  in  the  following  brief 
sketch : — 

"Mr.   MAYOR,   ALDERMEN,   and    GENTLEMEN   of  the 
COMMON  COUNCIL:— 

"Believe  me,  that  I  truly  appreciate  the  honour  you  confer  on  me 
in  thus  enrolling  my  name  among  the  Freemen  of  this  ancient  and 
loyal  city.  I  feel  it  peculiarly  so,  as  the  names  of  several  of  my 
family  appear  on  the  same  list ;  and  as  I  have  always  heard  of  the 
distinguished  attention  paid  in  this  City  to  Members  of  the  Royal 
Family  who  have  occasionally  visited  it.  I  regard  this  mark  of  esteem 
as  an  additional  link  in  that  chain  of  affection  which  I  am  proud  tc 
see  exists  between  his  Majesty's  subjects  and  our  afflicted  Monarch; 
as  every  tribute  of  regard  to  any  individual  Branch  of  the  Royal 
Family  must  be  considered  as  a  loyal  testimony  of  veneration  to  the 
best  of  men,  now  labouring  under  afflictions  which  we  all  poignantly 
deplore.  I  have  lately  visited  several  parts  of  this  kingdom,  and  am 
highly  gratified  in  observing  increasing  attachment  to  the  existing 
government.  It  will  be  recollected  that  our  gracious  Monarch,  in  his 
first  speech  after  he  ascended  the  throne,  said : — 4  Bora  and  educated 
in  this  country,  I  glory  in  the  name  of  Briton ;' — and  with  the  like 
proud  feelings,  I  boast  of  belonging  to  a  people  so  firmly  devoted  to 
the  enviable  Constitution  of  this  United  Kingdom." 

The  Mayor  then  presented  the  Members  of  the  Corpo- 
ration individually  to  his  Royal  Highness;  to  each  of 


OF    MASONRY.  317 

whom  he  spoke  with  the  utmost  politeness,  attention, 
and  affability. 

His  Royal   Highness  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
Corporation  to  dinner  at  the  Hall  on  the  following  day. 


The  next  masonic  ceremony,  of  any  particular  distinc- 
tion, took  place  in  Scotlan  1.  It  was  the  laying  of  the 
foundation-stone  of  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  Burns, 
the  Ayrshire  poet,  at  Alloway  Kirk,  in  Ayrshire,  on  the 
25th  of  January,  1820 ;  being  the  anniversary  of  his  natal 
day. 

The  several  neighbouring  Lodges  assembled,  agreeably 
to  intimation,  on  the  Race-ground,  about  11  o'clock,  in 
separate  detachments,  bearing  their  various  insignia,  and 
accompanied  with  bands  of  music.  After  having  been 
arranged  in  due  order,  viz. : — 

Mother  Kilwinning116          ....         No.— 

Maybole    - 10 

Kilmarnock  St.  John's       -  24 


Newmills  -         -         -    -     - 
Glasgow  Patrick  Kilwinning 
Monkton  Navigation  - 
Ayr  Kilwinning 
Newton  Ayr  St.  James's    - 
Kilmarnock  St.  Andrew's  - 
Stewarton  Thistle      - 
Tarbolton  St.  David's 
Tarbolton  St.  James's 
Irvine  St.  Andrew's  - 
Ayr  Royal  Arch 


46 
64 
41 
123 
124 
125 
126 
131 
133 
147 
163 


Stevenston  Thistle  and  Rose       -         -         -         -  167 

Maybole  Royal  Arch          -         -         -         -         -  197 

Muirkirk  St.  Thomas's       ...        -        -  200 

Riccarton  St.  Clement's 201 

Ayr  arid  Renfrew  St.  Paul's       -         -         -         -  203 

Ayr  Newton  St.  Andrew's  -----  209 

Fen  wick  Moira  -        -         -        -        -        -  221 

Old  Cumnock  St.  Barnabas'        -         -         -         -  230 

Mauchline  St.  Mungo's 240 

Kilmarnock  St.  James's     -         -         -         -         -  270 

116  A  communication  from  my  friend  James  Dobie,  Esq.,  of  Beith, 
in  Scotland,  contains  the  following  remarks  on  the  origin  and  progress 
of  Freemasonry  in  that  part  of  the  island.  "  It  is  generally  admitted 
that  Masonry  was  first  established  at  Kilwinning,  where  a  stately 
monastery  was  founded  A.  D.  1140.  I  find  in  the  notes  to  a  poem 
published  at  Paris  in  1820,  entitled,  « La  Maconnerie,'  that  'Jacques, 


318  ILLUSTRAl  ION'S 

they  walked  in  procession  to  the  site  of  the  Monument; 
mid  there,  having  formed  themselves  into  an  extensive 
circle,  the  most  Worshipful  Depute  Grand  Master,  Alex- 
ander Boswell,  of  Aucliinleck,  Esq.,  proceeded  to  lay  the 
foundation-stone,  and  also  deposited  a  plate,  bearing  the 
following  inscription : — 

BY  THE  FAVOR  OP  ALMIGHTY  GOD, 

On  the  Twenty-fifth  day  of  January,  A.D.  M.DCCCXX. 

Of  the  JEra  of  Masonry  5820, 
And  in  the  Sixtieth  Year  of  the  Reign  of  our  beloved 

Sovereign  George  the  Third, 
His  Royal  Highness  George  Prince  of  Wales  being 

Regent  of  the  United  Kingdom, 
And  a  munificent  Subscriber  to  the  Edifice, 

The  Foundation  Stone  of  this  Monument, 

Erected  by  public  Subscription  in  honour  of  the  Genius  of 

ROBERT  BURNS, 

THE  AYRSHIRE  POET, 

was  laid 

By  Alexander  Boswell,  Esq.,  of  Auchinleck,  M.P. 
Worshipful  Depute  Grand  Master  of  the  Most  Ancient 

Mother  Lodge  Kilwinning, 
(Attended  by  all  the  Mason  Lodges  in  Ayrshire) 

According  to  the  ancient  usages  of  Masonry, 

THOMAS  HAMILTON,  junior.  Edinburgh,  Architect, 

JOHN  CONNEL,  junior,  Builder  and  Contractor. 

Lord  Stewart,  rec.ut  dans  sa  loge  k  Kilwin  en  Ecosse,  en  1286,  les 
comtes  de  Glocester  et  Ulster,  1'un  Anglois,  1'autre  Irlandois.'  This 
was  the  year  in  which  Alexander  III.  died ;  and,  if  the  authority  be 
correct,  it  shows  that  the  Stewart  family  were  distinguished  in  Scot- 
land before  they  came  to  the  Crown.  James  I.  patronized  Kilwin- 
ning Lodge,  and  presided  as  Grand  Master  until  he  got  one  chosen 
by  the  brethren,  and  approved  of  by  him.  To  this  officer  an  annual 
salary  was  paid  by  all  the  Lodges  in  the  kingdom,  and  he  had  depu- 
ties in  the  different  counties.^  In  the  reign  of  James  II.  the  office 
was  made  hereditary  in  the  noble  family  of  St.  Clair  of  Rosslyn,  where 
it  continued  until  1736,  when  William  St.  Clair  of  Rosslyn,  Esq., 
resigned  in  favour  of  the  Brethren,  and  with  the  view  of  instituting 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Scotland.  The  Mother  Lodge  of  Kilwinniug, 
long  after  the  institution  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  continued  to  act  inde- 
pendently, and  to  grunt  charters  to  other  Lodges  as  formerly.  This 
gave  rise  to  disputes,  which  it  was  desirable  for  the  credit  of  the 
Fraternity  to  avoid ;  and  at  length,  in  1807,  Mother  Kilwinning  agreed 
to  hold  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  thereby  renouncing  all  right  to  grant 
chatters  in  future.  Kilwinning  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  Roll  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  under  the  denomination  of  '  Mother  Kihviuning,' 
and  its  Master  for  the  time  being  was  declared  the  Provincial  Grand 
Master  over  the  Ayrshire  district.  Other  minor  regulations  were 
adopted,  and  these  put  an  end  to  all  disputes  about  masonic  prece- 
dency."— EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  319 

After  which,  the  most  Worshipful  Depute  Grand  Mas- 
ter exhibited  the  corn  and  the  wine,  &c.,  in  true  masonic 
style,  and  delivered  the  following  address : — 

BRETHREN  : — May  corn,  wine,  and  oil  abound ;  may  all  that  is 
useful  and  ornamental  be  cultivated  amongst  us ;  and  may  all  that 
can  invigorate  the  body  or  elevate  the  soul  shed  their  blest  influence 
on  our  native  land. 

We  have  at  length  assembled  to  pay  a  grateful,  although  a  tardy, 
tribute  to  the  genius  of  Robert  Burns,  our  Ayrshire  Poet,  and  the 
Bard  of  Coila.  There  surely  lives  not  the  man  so  dull,  so  flinty,  or 
phlegmatic,  who  could  witness  this  event  without  emotion.  But  to 
those  whose  heart-strings  have  thrilled  responsive  to  the  chords  of 
the  Poet's  lyre — whose  bosoms  have  swelled,  like  his,  with  love  and 
friendship,  with  tenderness  and  sympathy,  have  glowed  with  patriot- 
ism, or  panted  for  glory — this"  hour  must  be  an  hour  of  exultation. 
Whether  we  consider  the  time,  the  place,  or  the  circumstances,  there 
is  enough  to  interest  in  each ;  but  these  combined,  and  at  once  in 
operation  on  our  feelings  and  our  fancies — his  muse,  alas !  is  mute, 
who  could  alone  have  dared  to  paint  the  proud  breathings  of  such  an 
assembly  at  such  a  moment. 

When  we  consider  the  time,  we  cannot  forget  that  this  day  is  the 
anniversary  of  that  which  gave  our  Poet  to  the  light  of  Heaven. 
Bleak  is  the  prospect  around  us ;  the  wood,  the  hawthorn,  and  "  the 
birken-shaw,"  are  leafless ;  not  a  thrush  has  yet  essayed  to  clear  the 
furrowed  brow  of  winter ;  but  this  we  know  shall  pass  away,  give  place, 
and  be  succeeded  by  the  buds  of  spring  and  the  blossoms  of  summer. 
Chill  and  cheerless  was  «_nr  Poet's  natal  day ;  but  soon  the  wild  flow- 
ers of  poesy  sprung  as  it  were  beneath  his  boyish  tread ;  they  opened 
as  he  advanced,  expanded  as  he  matured,  until  he  revelled  in  all  the 
richness  of  luxuriance.  Poverty  and  disappointment  hung  frowning 
around  him,  and  haunted  his  path ;  but,  soothed  and  charmed  by  the 
fitful  visits  of  his  native  muse,  arid  crowned,  as  in  a  vision,  with  tLo 
holy  wreath,  he  wantoned  in  a  fairy  land,  the  bright  creation  of  his 
own  vivid  and  enwrapt  imagination.  His  musings  have  been  our 
delight.  Men  of  the  loftiest  talents,  and  of  taste  the  most  refined, 
have  praised  them ; — men  of  strong  and  sterling,  but  untutored 
intellect,  have  admired  them  : — the  poet  of  the  heart  is  the  poet  of 
mankind. 

When  we  consider  the  place,  let  us  remember  that  these  very  scenes 
which  we  now  look  upon  awakened  in  his  youthful  breast  that  anima- 
ting spark  which  burst  upon  the  world  in  a  blaze  of  inspiration.  In 
yonder  cottage  he  first  drew  breath :  in  that  depository  of  the  lowly 
dead  sleeps  the  once  humble,  now  immortal,  model  of  the  cottage 
life — there  rests  his  pious  father — and  there  it  was  his  fond  and 
anxious  wish  that  his  dust  should  have  been  mingled  with  the  beloved 
and  kindred  ashes.  Below  us  flows  the  Doon,  the  classic  Doon,  but 
made  classic  by  his  harmony  ;  there,  gliding  through  the  woods,  and 
laving  his  banks  and  braes,  he  rolls  his  clear  and  "  far-fetch'd  waters  " 
to  the  ocean.  Before  us  stand  the  ruins  of  Kirk  Alloway,  shrouded 
in  all  the  mystic  imagery  with  which  it  is  enveloped  by  his  magic 
spells — Kirk  Alloway  !  to  name  it  is  enough. 

If  then-,  the  time  and  place  are  so  congenial  with  our  fond  impres- 


320  ILLUSTRATIONS 

sions.  the  circumstances  which  have  enabled  us  to  carry  into  effect 
thi<  commemoration  of  our  Bard,  must  give  delight  to  every  enthusi- 
astic mind.  In  every  region  where  our  language  is  heard,  the  song 
of  Burns  gives  rapture — and  from  every  region,  and  from  climes  the 
most  remote,  the  votive  offerings,  if  poured  in  to  aid  our  undertaking, 
and  the  edifice  Avhich  we  have  now  begun,  shall  stand  a  proud  and 
liisting  testimony  of  the  world's  admiration.  Not  on  the  banks  of 
Doon  alone,  or  hermit  Ayr,  or  the  romantic  Lugar,  echo  repeats  the 
songs  of  Burns;  but  amid  the  wild  forests  of  Columbia,  and  scorch- 
ing plains  of  Iridostan — on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  the  Ganges,  his  heart-touching  melody  floats  upon  the 
breeze. 

This  monument  rises  like  the  piled  cairn  over  our  warriors  of  old — 
each  man  casts  a  stone ;  and  in  honour  of  him,  the  son  of  a  cotter, 
and  himself  a  ploughman,  our  Prince,  with  the  true  feelings  of  true 
greatness,  and  more  illustrious  by  this  act  of  generosity,  pays  here 
his  tribute  at  the  sliriur  of  genius.  May  the  work  prosper ;  and  when 
happily  completed,  then  may  it  toll  to  future  generations  that  the  ago 
which  could  produce  u  Burns,  was  rich  also  in  those  who  could  appre- 
ciate his  talents,  and  who,  while  they  felt  and  owned  the  power  of  his 
muse,  have  honoured  his  name. 

This  speech,  which  was  delivered  with  much  energy 
and  feeling,  was  received  with  enthusiastic  applause. 
The  Rev.  H.  Paul,  of  Broughton,  then  concluded  the 
ceremony  with  a  suitable  Prayer;  when  the  whole 
masonic  body,  joined  by  an  immense  crowrd  of  spectators, 
gave  three  hearty  cheers,  and  the  procession  returned  in 
order  to  the  town  of  Ayr. 

After  lodging  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Master  in 
due  form,  the  several  Lodges  proceeded  to  their  respect- 
ive Lodge  Rooms,  where  they  spent  the  evening  in  the 
greatest  harmony.  The  decorations  of  some  of  the 
Lodges  were  very  splendid;  and  the  bands  of  music 
which  accompanied  them  had  a  very  imposing  effect, 
and,  notwithstanding  the  unfavourableness  of  the  day, 
brought  forth  an  immense  crowd  of  spectators. 

About  seven  o'clock,  deputations  arrived  at  the  Grand 
Lodge  ;  when  many  patriotic  toasts  were  given,  together 
with  many  songs  and  speeches,  highly  appropriate  to  the 
occasion. 

Mr.  Boswell,  in  drinking  as  a  toast,  "  The  Admirers  of 
Burns,"  took  occasion  to  notice  some  particulars  relative 
to  the  subscriptions  which  had  been  obtained  for  the 
monument ;  and,  among  those  gentlemen  who  had  par 
ticularly  interested  themselves  in  the  business,  he  men- 
tioned in  terms  of  high  respect,  Sir  James  Shaw,  Bart., 


OF    MASONRY. 

and  William  Fairlie,  Esq.,  of  London.  He  said,  that 
through  the  exertions  of  these  gentlemen  large  sums  had 
been  remitted,  in  furtherance  of  the  undertaking,  from 
the  East  Indies,  from  America,  and  from  the  Metropolis, 
where  a  higher  enthusiasm  in  favour  of  Burns  and  his 
writings  seemed  to  prevail  than  in  his  native  country. 
This,  however,  was  not  to  be  wondered  at ;  because  the 
glowing  descriptions  which  he  gives  of  scenes  and  feel- 
ings so  congenial  to  Scotchmen,  must  have  an  effect 
proportionate  to  the  distance  to  which  they  are  removed 
from  their  native  land. 

SECT.  XVIII. 
History  of  Masonry  from  1820  to  1823. 

A  new  era  of  Masonry  now  opens  to  our  view.  By 
the  accession  of  his  Most  Gracious  Majesty  King  George 
IV.  to  the  throne  of  his  ancestors,  we  are  furnished  with 
a  decisive  weapon  to  counteract  the  foul  imputations  of 
Barruel,  Robison,  and  others,  that  our  Society  is  the  cra- 
dle where  insubordination  and  treason  are  nurtured  and 
brought  to  maturity.  Nor  did  the  Grand  Lodge  omit 
this  opportunity  of  declaring  their  attachment  to  the 
person,  arid  adherence  to  the  laws  and  institutions,  of 
their  revered  monarch.  At  a  quarterly  Communication, 
holden  the  8th  of  March,  1820,  the  Grand  Master,  in  the 
chair,  called  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the 
heavy  and  melancholy  loss  which  the  nation  had  sustained 
by  the  death  of  the  late  venerable  sovereign  King  George 
ill.,  and  also  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Kent, 
and  submitted,  that,  before  any  other  business  was  trans- 
acted, it  would  be  proper  to  move  addresses  of  condolence 
to  be  presented  to  his  present  Majesty  on  these  melan- 
choly events  ;  which  was  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  the 
following  addresses  were  presented  in  the  name  and  on 
the  behalf  of  the  Fraternity,  by  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  Sussex,  G.M.,  on  the  10th  of  May:— 

ADDRESS  TO  HIS  MAJESTY  KING  GEORGE  IV.,  ON 
HIS  ACCESSION. 

To  the  KING'S  Most  Excellent  MAJESTY. 
MOST  GRACIOUS  SOVEREIGN: 

We,  your  Majesty's  most  dutiful  and  faithful  subjects,  the  Grand 
Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Officers,  and  Brethren  of  the  United 
15* 


322  ILLUSTRATION'S 

Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  England,  with  all 
humility  and  respect,  approach  your  royal  presence. 

We  request,  Sire,  your  gracious  permission  to  condole  with  your 
Majesty  OIL  the  death  of  our  late  most  excellent  Sovereign,  your 
revered  and  venerable  father. 

We  beg  leave  also,  at  the  same  time,  to  offer  our  most  cordial  con- 
gratulations on  your  Majesty's  accession  to  the  Throne  of  this  United 
Kingdom. 

While  the  signal  events  which  have  characterized,  and  the  splen- 
did triumphs  which  have  accompanied,  a  reign  of  unexampled 
length,  extended  by  the  wisdom  and  energies  of  your  Majesty  when 
holding  the  reins  of  Government,  during  a  Regency  of  many  years, 
will  be  commemorated  by  the  pen  of  the  historian,  it  is  our  more 
pleasing  duty  to  contemplate  and  dwell  on  the  peaceful  virtues  and 
the  moral  qualities  which  adorned  his  late  Majestyr,  and  endeared 
him  to  his  people. 

As  Masons,  interested  in  the  progress  of  useful  knowledge,  and  the 
dissemination  of  intellectual  truth,  we  beheld  with  de-light  the  encour- 
agement which  his  late  Majesty  afforded  to  science,  the  patronage 
which  he  bestowed  on  the  liberal  arts,  and  the  facility  he  gave  to  the 
diffusion  of  learning,  by  supporting  the  caus"e  of  early  and  general 
education. 

To  your  Majesty  we  do  not  look  in  vain  for  the  exercise  of  similar 
virtues,  for  the  continuance  of  sucli  blessings  to  the  whole  community. 
In  the  native  benevolence  of  your  Majesty's  mind  we  place  our  fullest 
confidence,  whilst  we  indulge  the  fondest  hopes. 

The  sceptre  of  this  kingdom  is  now  wielded  by  the  hand  of  a 
FREEMASON  :  the  honour,  Sire,  which  is  thus  conferred  on  the  Craft, 
must  be  duly  felt  and  appreciated  by  every  individual  brother.  For- 
tunately for  the  best  interests  of  Masonry,  the  supreme  authority 
over  our  Order  was  vested  in  your  Majesty  at  an  early  period;  and, 
from  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  our  fraternity,  your 
Majesty  was  graciously  pleased,  in  presenting  the  dutiful  Address  of 
our  community  to  your  Royal  Father  in  the  year  1793,  to  declare 
that  " the  Freemasons  of  England  yielded  to  no  subjects  of  the  realm, 
in  the  love  of  their  country,  and  in  loyal  attachment  to  the  sacred 
person  of  the  Sovereign  of  these  Rea'ms." 

These  sentiments  are  now  further  confirmed  by  the  exertion  of 
your  Royal  influence  in  procuring  for  the  brethren  that  facility  and 
tranquillity  of  assembling,  of  which  they  otherwise  would  have  been 
deprived  by  Acts  of  Parliament,  prohibiting,  in  general,  all  secret 
meetings. 

In  the  confidence  of  entertaining  the  same  sentiments  of  duty  and 
affection  for  your  Majesty's  sacred  person,  we  humbly  entreat  your 
Majesty  will  continue  to  us  your  fostering  care  and  protection  as 
Patron  of  our  community ;  which  title,  Sire,  you  were  graciously 
pleased  to  accept  from  the  fraternity  at  large,  whilst  presiding  as 
Regent  over  the  destinies  of  this  country. 

It  remains  for  us  now  to  invoke,  with  fervent  prayer,  the  Great 
Architect  and  Ruler  of  the  Universe,  that  the  blessings  of  Heaven 
may  descend  upon  your  Royal  person;  that  your  Majesty's  gracious 
intentions  to  promote  the  welfare  of  your  subjects,  and  to  support 
the  honour  of  your  Crown,  may  be  brought  to  a  successful  issue; 
and  that  your  Majesty's  throne  may  be  permanently  fixed  upon  the 


OF    MASONRY.  323 

same  sure  and  solid  foundation  upon  which  it  now  stands — the  united 
affections  of  a  free  and  loyal  people. 

Given  in  Grand  Lodge,  at  Freemasons'  Hall,  this  8th  day  of  Martfi, 
1820.  AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,  G.M. 

DUNDAS,  D.G.M. 
WILLIAM  H.  WHITE,  ?  r  „ 
.  HARPER,  $  w 


His  Majesty  was  most  graciously  pleased  to  receive 
this  and  the  following  address  with  the  utmost  compla- 
cency, and  to  confirm  to  the  Society  the  continuance  of 
his  royal  patronage,  which  must  for  ever  silence  the 
voice  of  calumny,  and  satisfy  the  world  that  the  opinions 
of  those  who  would  impute  treasonable  designs  to  our 
Institution,  are  nothing  but  the  crude  offspring  of  jealous 
doubt  and  dark  conjecture.  The  royal  arms,  and  title  of 
his  Majesty,  as  Patron,  were  then  engraven  at  the  head 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  certificate,  as  a  public  testimony  of 
the  exalted  sanction  under  which  Masonry  had  now  the 
honour  of  being  placed. 

ADDEESS   TO   HIS   MAJESTY  ON   THE   DEATH   OF   HIS 
KOYAL  HIGHNESS  THE  DUKE  OF  KENT. 

To  the  KING'S  Most  Excellent  MAJESTY. 
MOST  GRACIOUS  SOVEREIGN, 

We,  the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master,  Officers,  and 
Brethren  of  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons 
of  England  in  Grand  Lodge  assembled,  most  sensibly  participating 
in  every  subject  of  grief  to  your  Majesty  and  your  august  family, 
thus  most  dutifully  crave  leave  to  offer  our  heartfelt  condolence  on 
the  demise  of  your  Majesty's  illustrious  brother,  his  Royal  Highness 
the  Duke  of  Kent,  a  Past  Grand  Master  of  our  ancient  and  venerable 
Order. 

Our  devoted  attachment  to  your  Majesty's  august  person  did  not 
permit  us  to.  blend  our  sorrows,  on  this  melancholy  event,  with  the 
declaration  of  our  affliction  occasioned  by  the  death  of  our  late  Sove- 
reign of  blessed  memory ;  but,  although  ceremonial  forms  may  have 
separated  these  expressions,  our  augmented  feelings  of  grief  on  this 
twofold  calamity  were  united. 

In  all  humility,  therefore,  we  fervently  pray  the  Great  Architect 
of  the  Universe  to  take  your  Majesty,  and  every  member  of  the 
Illustrious  House  of  Brunswick,  under  his  most  especial  favour  and 
protection  ;  that  he  will  deign  to  bless  them  with  uninterrupted 
health  and  long  life,  to  their  own  felicity  and  comfort,  and  to  the 
never-ceasing  prosperity  of  this  United  Kingdom. 

Given  in  Grand  Lodge,  at  Freemasons'  Hall,  this  8th  day  of 
March,  1820.  AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,  Gr.M. 

DUNDAS,  D.G.M. 

WILLIAM  H.  WHITE, 

EDW.  HARPER, 


324  ILLUSTRATIONS 

To  commemorate  the  auspicious  circumstances  which 
placed  the  patronage  of  Masonry  under  the  superintend- 
ence of  the  sovereign  of  these  realms,  his  Royal  Highness 
the  Grand  Master  was  pleased  to  present  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  a  superb  carved  and  gilt  chair,  the  back  and  seat 
of  which  are  covered  with  very  rich  blue  velvet,  to  be 
used  as  a  chair  for  the  Deputy  Grand  Master ;  and  also 
four  smaller  chairs  to  correspond,  as  seats  for  Brethren  of 
distinction.  This  splendid  present  was  received  with 
gratitude,  and  it  was  unanimously  "Resolved,  that  the 
Grand  Lodge,  highly  honoured  at  all  times  by  the  zeal 
and  attention  which  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of 
Sussex,  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master,  manifests  for  the  best 
interests  and  comfort  of  the  Craft,  cannot  refrain,  on  this 
particular  occasion,  from  expressing  to  his  Royal  High- 
ness its  grateful  acknowledgments  for  this  additional 
mark  of  his  liberality  and  paternal  kindness." 

About  this  time,  some  incipient  symptoms  of  an  inclina- 
tion to  disturb  the  harmony  and  tranquillity  which  had 
characterized  the  proceedings  of  Masonry  since  the  union, 
appeared  in  the  proceedings  of  certain  lodges  in  the  north 
of  England.  The  lodge  No.  31,  holden  at  Liverpool, 
having  violated  an  essential  regulation  of  Masonry,117  and 
being  found  contumacious  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Mas- 
ter, was  regularly  suspended.  The  dispute  had  com- 
menced so  early  as  1818;  and  in  December  of  that  year, 
a  communication  was  made  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Secretary  for  Lancashire,  suggesting 
that  some  regulation  was  necessary  relative  to  the  num- 
ber of  Brethren  requisite  to  constitute  a  legal  Lodge, 
with  competent  powers  to  perform  the  rite  of  initiation, 
and  transact  other  general  business.  To  this  application 
the  Board  for  General  Purposes  replied,  that  "The  sub- 
ject is  one  which  has  undergone  a  great  deal  of  discussion 
and  consideration,  especially  on  the  late  revision  of  the 
laws.  But  it  is  a  matter  of  so  much  delicacy  and  diffi- 
culty, that  it  was  thought  advisable  not  to  depart  from 

7  This  rule  is  as  follows:  "No  brother  shall  presume  to  print  or 
publish,  or  cause  to  be  printed  or  published,  the  proceedings  of  any 
Lodge,  nor  any  part  thereof,  or  the  names  of  the  persons  present  at 
Buch  Lodge,  without  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Master,  or  the  Pro- 
vincial Grand  Master,  under  pain  of  being  expelled  from  the  Order." 
(Const.  "  Of  Members."  Art.  6.) 


OF    MASONRY .  325 

that  silence  on  the  subject,  which  had  been  observed  in 
all  the  Books  of  Constitution." 

In  the  latter  end  of  1819,  a  memorial  was  addressed 
to  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master,  from  the  Provincial  Grand 
Lodge  of  Lancashire,  on  a  subject  which,  at  a  subsequent 
meeting  of  that  body,  was  considered  improper,  and  the 
Grand  Master  was  requested  to  allow  it  to  be  withdrawn. 
His  Royal  Highness,  therefore,  did  not  deem  it  necessary 
to  intimate  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  to  the  Board  of 
General  Purposes,  that  such  a  document  had  been  trans- 
mitted to  him.  Although  this  withdrawal  was  perfectly 
voluntary  on  the  part  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  yet 
the  Brethren  of  No.  31,  having  taken  an  erroneous  view 
of  the  circumstances,  elevated  it  into  an  occasion  of  dis- 
satisfaction and  complaint,  and  instituted  an  accusation 
against  the  Board  of  General  Purposes,  in  which  they 
cited  this  as  a  "case  where  the  Board  had  detained  a 
communication  from  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  for  the 
county  of  Lancaster,  which  consists  of  sixty-two  Lodges 
on  record;  consequently,  if  the  Board  for  General  Pur- 
poses acted  thus,  without  the  authority  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  we  consider  their  conduct  highly  reprehensible, 
and  if,  on  the  other  hand,  the  Grand  Lodge  gave  them 
power  to  act  in  this  manner,  then  we  consider  it  a 
dangerous  innovation  upon  the  landmarks  of  our  Order," 
&c.,  &c.,  &c.  Thus  they  argued  upon  false  grounds,  for 
the  Board  had  no  knowledge  of  the  document  which  had 
been  restored  to  the  P.  G.  Lodge  at  its  own  request. 

From  this  time  until  the  beginning  of  the  year  1821, 
it  should  appear  that  the  breach  was  widened,  for  in  the 
month  of  March  the  P.  G.  Master  dispatched  a  parcel  to 
the  Board,  containing  charges  preferred  by  Brother  H. 
Lucas  against  Brothers  Thomas  Page  and  M.  A.  Gage, 
of  the  Lodge  No.  31 ;  and  a  copy  of  the  order  for  the 
suspension  of  that  Lodge.  As  that  officer  had  not  inves- 
tigated the  charges  himself,  the  papers  were  returned, 
and  the  Board  declined  interfering  with  them  in  their 
present  shape. 

It  might  be  rationally  conceived  that  the  members 
of  Lodge  No.  31,  on  receiving  the  order  of  suspension, 
ivould  have  endeavoured  to  reduce  the  points  in  dispute 
into  as  narrow  a  compass  as  existing  circumstances  would 
allow,  for  the  purpose  of  eliciting  an  amicable  and  satis- 


326  ILLUSTRATIONS 

factory  termination,  that  the  science  of  Masonry  might 
not  be  brought  into  disrepute  by  the  effects  of  division 
and  disunion  amongst  its  professors.  This  they  unfortu- 
nately failed  to  do.  They  omitted  to  seize  the  critical 
moment;  and  having  passed  the  Rubicon,  all  hope  of 
future  arrangement  was  at  an  end.  They  did  not  even 
appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge  against  the  order  of  suspen- 
sion, although  it  was  denounced  as  arbitrary  and  unjust; 
but  held  their  accustomed  meetings,  and  transacted 
masonic  business  as  usual:  they  materially  aggravated 
their  case  by  the  circulation  amongst  the  lodges  of 
intemperate  manifestos,  full  of  harsh  and  indecorous 
language ;  and,  in  their  zeal  for  the  -production  of 
authorities  in  justification  of  their  own  conduct,  and  the 
crimination  of  the  constituted  authorities,  they  entirely 
overlooked  that  one  grand  charge,  which,  like  a  crown 
of  pure  gold,  decorates  and  adorns  the  glorious  super- 
structure of  Freemasonry,  "The  rulers  and  governors, 
supreme  and  subordinate,  are  to  be  obeyed  in  their 
respective  stations,  by  all  the  Brethren,  according  to  the 
old  charges  and  regulations,  with  all  humility,  reverence, 
love,  and  alacrity." 

To  terminate  these  unhappy  disputes  successfully,  the 
P.  G.  Master  summoned  the  erring  Brethren  before  him, 
without  effect ;  and  his  precept  was  met  by  the  following 
Resolution,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  members  of 
Lodge  No.  31,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1821: — 

"Resolved  unanimously,  that  we  will  not  enter  into 
any  negotiation,  nor  appear  before  any  committee  or 
masonic  tribunal  whatever,  until  the  P.  G.  Master  has 
furnished  us  with  a  copy  of  the  charge  exhibited  against 
our  Lodge,  and  with  the  names  of  our  accusers,  nor  until 
he  has  commanded  Richard  James  Greesham  to  restore 
the  property  which  he  removed  from  our  Lodge,  under 
the  pretence  of  committing  it  to  the  care  of  the  P.  G. 
Master  for  safety." 

The  P.  G.  Master,  under  a  suspicion  that  some  latent 
prejudice  might  exist  in  the  minds  of  these  Brethren 
against  himself,  deputed  his  authority  to  the  Master  of 
another  Lodge  in  Liverpool  (No.  38),  directing  him  to 
convene  a  meeting  of  all  the  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and 
Wardens,  of  every  Lodge  in  that  place,  to  investigate 
the  conduct  of  the  accused  Brethren;  for  the  defection 


OF    MASONRY.  327 

had  extended  to  other  Lodges,  whose  members  appeared 
determined  to  advocate  the  cause  of  No.  31.  In  the 
month  of  August  this  committee  mei,  and  the  charges 
were  regularly  brought  forward ;  but  after  two  or  three 
days  of  fruitless  discussion,  the  meeting  dissolved  without 
having  accomplished  any  satisfactory  result ;  and  the 
Brethren  of  No.  31  published  a  detailed  account  of  these 
proceedings,  under  date  of  September  19,  1821,  highly 
impregnated  with  the  angry  feelings  which  then  prevailed 
in  their  minds;  and  this  document  was  pronounced  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  at  the  succeeding  quarterly  Communi- 
cation, to  be  "a  direct  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  Craft,  p. 
84,  Art.  6,  Book  of  Constitutions,  and  forming  a  sufficient 
ground  to  continue  the  suspension  of  the  Lodge  No.  31." 
In  November,  1821,  another  attempt  was  made  for  the 
adjustment  of  this  unhappy  dispute.  The  Deputy  P.  Gr. 
Master  went  over  to  Liverpool,  and,  having  formed  a 
meeting  composed  of  the  chairman  of  the  late  committee, 
and  six  other  brothers,  issued  an  especial  summons  to  the 
Master  of  No.  31,  to  appear  personally  before  him  with 
the  warrant  papers  and  evidences  of  the  Lodge.  No 
attention  was  paid  to  this  summons,  except  by  referring 
the  D.  P.  G.  Master  once  more  to  the  Resolution  of  the 
9th  of  July;  thus  violating  a  fundamental  law  of  Ma- 
sonry ;118  and  the  former  suspension  was  again  confirmed. 
The  Lodge  now,  with  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  its 
abettors,  published  that  fatal  manifesto  which  was  decisive 

of  its  fate.119 

» 

us  "The  Master  and  Wardens  of  every  Lodge  shall  attend  the 
Grand  Master  or  his  deputy,  or  the  Provincial  Grand  Master  or  his 
deputy,  or  any  board  or  committee  authorized  by  the  Grand  Lodge ; 
and  produce  the  warrant,  minutes,  and  books  of  the  Lodge,  when 
summoned  to  do  so,  under  pain  of  suspension,  and  being  reported  to 
the  next  Grand  Lodge."  (Const.  Art.  11,  Of  Masters  and  Wardens 
of  Lodges.) 

119  This  paper  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Grand  Master,  in  his 
private  capacity  as  Master  of  the  Lodge  of  Antiquity,  and  he  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  the  P.  G.  Master  : — 

Freemasons1  Hall,  London,  15th  Dec.  1821. 
R.  W.  BROTHER, 

We  have  received  the  commands  of  the  M."W.  Grand  Master,  the 
Duke  of  Sussex,  to  acquaint  you,  that  his  Royal  Highness  has  received, 
as  Master  of  the  Lodge  of 'Antiquity,  No.  2,  the  Copy  of  a  printed 
circular,  dated  "  Masonic  Committee  Room,  Castle  Inn,  North  Liver- 


328  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  primitive  intention  of  these  Brethren  might  spring 
from  a  right  principle ;  for  their  motive,  as  they  themselves 
profess,  was  a  jealous  concern  for  the  maintenance  of  the  ancient 
laws  and  usages  of  the  Order;  but  how  proper  soever  this 
ftM'ling  might  be,  they  failed  altogether  in  the  details; 
;iinl  their  subsequent  conduct  violated  almost  every  law 
that  was  applicable  to  their  case.  Their  disobedience 
could  not  be  palliated  by  the  plea  of  necessity  or  expe- 
diency: and  the  language  which  they  made  use  of  in 
their  communications  to  the  Brethren  and  the  Grand 
Lodge,  was  neither  masonic  nor  respectful.  Instead  of  a 
calm  and  temperate  recapitulation  of  the  points  they 
desired  to  illustrate,  they  dealt  largely  in  amplification ; 

pool,  26th  November,  1821,"  and  which  paper  purports  to  come  from 
Brothers  Thomas  Page,  W.  M.  of  No.  31,  M.  A.  Gage,  P.  M.  of  same, 
and  thirty-two  other  Brethren,  Officers  or  Past  Officers  of  various 
Lodges  in  your  Pi'ovince ;  and  to  give  the  proceedings  or  sentiments 
of  a  meeting  held  on  the  said  xidth  November.  Annexed  to  the  said 
letter  is  the  copy  of  an  Address  transmitted  to  the  M.  W.  Grand 
Master  by  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  on  27th  September,  1819 ; 
and,  also,  copy  of  a  letter  sent  by  the  Lodge,  No.  31,  to  the  R.  \Vr. 
Provincial  Grand  Master,  under  date  of  30th  August  last.  The  Grand 
Master  views  the  publication  of  these  matters  as  a  most  offensive 
proceeding,  and  in  direct  violation  of  the  Laws  of  the  Craft.  He, 
therefore,  directs  that  you  will  ascertain  whether  the  individuals  whose 
names  appear  to  that  paper  did  actually  subscribe  the  original  from 
which  it  is  copied,  and  also  gave  their  sanction  to  its  publication 
And,  further,  that  you  will  suspend  from  their  privileges  as  Masons, 
such  Brethren  as  shall  be  proved  to  have  so  acted,  and  make  a  report 
to  his  Royal  Highness  what  you  may  do,  that  he  may  take  the  mea- 
sures requisite  in  the  said  affair. 

In  making  this  communication,  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master  commands 
us  further  to  remark  upon  the  contents  of  the  paper,  dated  26th 
November  last,  that,  as  to  the  observations  made  by  the  Provincial 
Grand  Lodge  upon  tho  number  of  Members  necessary  to  remain 
together,  to  enable  them  to  continue  their  Lodge  in  existence,  an 
answer  was  sent  to  the  Provincial  Grand  Secretary,  on  5th  January, 
1819,  by  order  of  the  Board  of  General  Purposes,  stating,  that  the 
subject  was  one  of  great  delicacy ;  and,  therefore,  it  had  been  felt 
advisable,  in  the  new  Book  of  Constitution,  to  preserve  the  same 
silence  in  regard  thereto  as  had  been  observed  in  all  the  former 
editions ;  and  such  opinion  has  ever  been  held  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

That  the  Address  of  the  27th  September,  1819,  was  received  by  the 
M.  W.  Grand  Master  sealed,  having  been  transmitted  direct  to  him, 
and  not  sent  through  the  Board ;  that,  upon  perusal,  his  Royal  High- 
ness found  it  to  contain  questions  relative  to  the  Order  of  the  Royal 
Arch,  which  could  not,  under  any  circumstances,  be  discussed  in  the 
Grand  Lodge ;  and  he,  therefore,  never  communicated  the  receipt 
of  it,  nor  any  part  of  its  contents,  either  to  the  Grand  Lodge  or  to 


329 

made  use  of  irritating  and  exaggerated  statements  of 
facts ;  and  even  bordered  upon  menaces,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  intimidating  the  Grand  Lodge  by  the  dread  of 
another  schism.  They  laboured  under  the  grievous  error 
of  supposing  that  Boards  and  superior  officers,  although 
lawfully  constituted,  possessed  no  authority ;  and  that  as 
all  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and  Wardens,  are  ex-officio 
members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  so  the  acts  of  a  competent 
number  of  such  members,  wheresoever  assembled,  are 
equally  valid  and  binding;  forgetting,  that  as  no  private 
Lodge  can  be  legally  held  without  its  Master,  or  his 
legitimate  substitute,  so  no  Grand  Lodge  can  possibly 

the  Board  of  General  Purposes ;  consequently  the  Board  was  wholly 
ignorant  of  such  address  having  been  sent ;  and,  as  it  was  subsequently 
withdrawn  as  improper,  the  Grand  Master  had  hoped  the  matter  had 
been  set  at  rest. 

That  the  Board  of  General  Purposes  possesses  no  powers  but  such 
as  have  been  delegated  to  it  by  the  United  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  which 
body  an  appeal  is  reserved  in  all  cases. 

That  the  Board  is  not  the  only  channel  of  communication  with  the 
Grand  Lodge ;  on  the  contrary,  all  petitions,  appeals,  &c.,  for  that 
Body,  addressed  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  and  transmitted  at  least  seven 
days  prior  to  any  Quarterly  Communication,  so  that  the  same  may  be 
read  at  the  General  Committee,  which  meets  on  the  Wednesday  pre- 
vious to  the  Grand  Lodge,  must,  as  a  matter  of  course,  go  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  provided  the  language  be  proper ;  and  every  member 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  is  at  liberty  to  bring  any  subject  under  discus- 
sion there,  provided  he  give  notice  at  the  said  General  Committee  of 
his  intention  so  to  do. 

If  the  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge,  held  at  Preston,  in 
1820,  or  any  of  the  proceedings  there  adopted,  were  irregular,  the 
Members  who  held  such  an  opinion  might  have  preferred  their  com- 
plaint in  the  proper  quarter;  but  which  they  have  never  done. 

His  Royal  Highness  directs,  that  this  letter  may  be  communicated 
to  the  Provincial  Grand  Lodge  on  Monday  next,  for  the  information 
of  the  Brethren  who  may  be  then  assembled,  not  as  an  answer  to  the 
printed  paper  alluded  to,  because  the  printing  of  such  paper,  and  the 
meeting  on  the  26th  November  last,  are  both  so  illegal,  that  no  answer 
could  be  given  to  them ;  but  because  the  Grand  Master  is  desirous  that 
the  Brethren  who  have  seen  the  paper  may,  at  least,  be  informed  oj 
the  fallacious  grounds  on  which  it  is  framed,  although  such  paper, 
being  illegal,  could  form  no  part  of  the  proceedings  of  a  Lodge,  or 
be  recognized  by  them. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,    ' 

Eight  Worshipful  Brother, 
Your  most  obedient  servants  and  faithful  Brothers, 

WILLIAM  H.  WHITE, 
EDW.  HARPER, 


330  ILLUSTRATIONS 

be  constituted,  how  numerous  soever  its  members  may 
be,  except  the  Grand  Master,  or  a  Deputy  regularly 
appointed  by  himself,  were  actually  present.  They  even 
pursued  this  principle  so  far  as  to  convene  a  general 
meeting  of  Masons  in  the  county  palatine  of  Lancaster, 
without  the  concurrence  of  the  P.  G.  Master,  or  his 
Deputy;  and,  in  their  eagerness  to  confirm  their  own 
acts  by  the  countenance  of  such  an  authority,  they 
totally  lost  sight  of  the  plain  construction  of  that  simple 
law,  by  virtue  of  which  the  decree  of  suspension  had 
been  issued  and  confirmed,  that  "if  any  Brother  be  sum- 
moned to  attend  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy,  or  the 
P.  G.  Master  or  his  Deputy,  or  any  board  or  committee 
authorized  by  the  Grand  Master,  and  do  not  comply,  or 
give  sufficient  reason  for  his  non-attendance,  the  summons 
is  to  be  repeated,  and  if  he  still  persists  in  his  contumacy, 
he  shall  be  suspended  fnom  all  masonic  rights,  and  the 
proceeding  notified  to  the  Grand  Lodge.120 

The  P.  G.  Master,  finding  all  attempts  to  settle  the 
question  ineffectual,  transmitted  the  documents  to  the 
Board  of  General  Purposes;  and  that  body,  now  that  the 
subject  was  brought  regularly  before  them,  proceeded 
without  delay  to  the  performance  of  their  duty ;  and,  in 
the  examination  of  the  charges,  they  appear  to  have  been 
actuated  by  a  desire  to  discharge  that  duty  faithfully  and 
impartially.  On  the  5th  of  December,  18:21,  they  made 
their  Report  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  was  read  and 
approved ;  and  it  was  then  ordered,  that  "  the  Lodge 
No.  31  be  further  suspended  from  the  exercise  of  its 
masonic  privileges  until  the  next  Quarterly  Communica- 
tion, reserving  to  the  Grand  Master  the  power  to  restore 
it  previously,  if  he  should  see  sufficient  cause  so  to  do." 
The  Lodge  took  no  notice  of  this  order,  but  continued 
occasionally  to  meet ;  and  it  was  therefore  resolved  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  on  the  6th  March,  1822,  "  that  the 
Master  and  Wardens  of  No.  31  be  summoned  to  show 
cause,  at  the  next  Quarterly  Communication,  why  the 
Lodge  should  not  be  erased  from  the  list  of  Lodges,  and 
its  warrant  be  withdrawn,  for  disobedience  of  the  order 
of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and  that,  in  the  mean  time,  it  be 
suspended  from  its  functions,  allowing  the  members  only 

M  Const.  "  Of  Members,  and  their  Duty."    Art  14. 


OF    MASONRY.  881 

to  assemble  in  Lodge  for  the  purpose  of  considering  their 
defence."  It  was  also  resolved  unanimously,  that  "  the 
thirty-four  Brethren,  whose  names  appeared  to  a  printed 
paper,  dated  Masonic  Committee  Room,  Castle  Inn,  North 
Liverpool,  Nov.  26,  1821,  circulated  to  many  Lodges,  be 
suspended  from  their  masonic  privileges  until  the  next 
Quarterly  Communication,  reserving  to  the  Grand  Master 
the  power  previously  to  reinstate  the  whole,  or  such  of 
them  as  he  may  see  cause  to  restore."  Copies  of  these 
resolutions  were  sent  to  the  Lodge,  and  to  the  thirty- 
four  Brethren  respectively. 

The  Lodge  No.  31  now  transmitted  a  paper,  bearing 
date  the  1st  of  April,  in  which  the  members  denied  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  the  right  and  power  of  passing  the 
above  resolutions,  and  remonstrated,  in  very  unbecoming 
and  offensive  language,  against  its  proceedings  on  their 
case.  This  was  followed  up  by  another  paper  of  similar 
tendency  in  June,  wherein  it  was  avowed  "  that  the 
Lodge  No.  31,  notwithstanding  the  prohibition  of  the 
5th  of  December  last,  had  continued  to  hold  its  masonic 
meetings  in  the  usual  manner ;  that,  in  consequence  of  a 
resolution  passed  in  the  Lodge,  it  was  impossible  for  the 
members  to  pay  any  attention  to  the  commands  of  the 
Grand  Lodge ;  and  that,  under  existing  circumstances,  it 
was  their  determination  not  to  do  so."  Such  a  flagrant 
instance  of  contumacy,  and  violation  of  discipline,  could 
not  be  overlooked ;  and,  therefore,  on  motions  duly  made 
at  the  Quarterly  Communication  in  June,  1822,  it  was 
resolved  unanimously,  "  That  the  Lodge  No.  31,  at  Liver- 
pool, be  erased  from  the  list  of  Lodges,  and  its  warrant 
forfeited ;  that  notice  of  *uch  erasure  be  transmitted  to 
every  Lodge  upon  the  registry  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and 
that  no  Brother,  being  at  present  a  member  of  the  said 
Lodge  No.  31,  be  received,  even  as  a  visitor,  in  any  other 
Lodge ;  that  these  resolutions  be  communicated  to  the 
Grand  Lodges  of  Scotland  and  Ireland,  and  to  all  Lodges 
in  communion  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England;  that 
the  several  Brothers  who  signed  the  papers  published 
under  the  date  of  the  26th  of  "Nov.,  1821,  and  the  1st  of 
April,  1822,  be  summoned  to  show  cause,  at  the  next 
Quarterly  Communication,  why  they  should  not  be 
expelled  the  Fraternity;  and  that,  in  the  mean  time, 
they  be  suspended  from  their  masonic  privileges;  and 


332  ILLUSTRATIONS 

that  notice  of  such  suspension,  with  the  names  of  the 
individuals  so  suspended,  be  transmitted  to  all  the 
Lodges,  in  order  that  those  Brethren  may  not  be  re- 
ceived, even  as  visitors,  in  any  Lodge,  under  the  penalty 
attached  to  the  Lodges  admitting  irregular  Masons.121 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  expelled  and  suspended 
Brothers,  at  this  extreme  period  of  the  business,  should 
have  still  indulged  in  the  spirit  of  bitterness,  which  was 
calculated  to  exclude  the  sympathy  and  commiseration 
of  Brethren  uninterested  in  the  dispute.  They  issued 
another  appeal  to  the  Lodges,  in  which  they  condemn 
the  Brethren  who  had  been  reinstated  on  petition,  in  no 
measured  language ;  and  declare  that  "  they  wish  it  to 
be  perfectly  understood  that  they  shall  not  ^tetition  to  be 
reinstated;  nor  shall  they  be  satisfied  with  reinstatement, 
unless  a  full  and  impartial  inquiry  be  made  into  the 
abuses  and  innovations  of  which  they  have  complained." 

Petitions  for  readmission  continued  still  to  be  received 
and  attended  to  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  for  the  door  of  for- 
giveness was  not  finally  closed  until  the  month  of  March, 
1823,  when,  at  the  Quarterly  Communication,  held  on 
the  5th  of  that  month,  the  Grand  Lodge  declared  "  that 
every  possible  opportunity  had  been  afforded  for  the 
offending  Brethren  to  reconsider  and  make  atonement 
for  their  past  misconduct ;  but,  instead  of  profiting  by 
the  indulgence  thus  granted,  they  this  day  transmitted  a 
statement  replete  with  additional  insult  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  other  masonic  authorities;  whereupon,  on  a 
motion  duly  made  and  seconded,  it  was  resolved  unani- 
mously, that  the  said  Brethren  be  for  ever  expelled  from 
Masonry  ;"  and  thus  twenty-six  individuals,  who  remain- 
ed refractory,  were  finally  and  for  ever  excluded  from 
any  participation  in  the  business  of  the  Craft. 

The  agitation  which  these  events  produced  did  not 

12-  The  expelled  and  suspended  Brethren  were  sixty-eight  in  num- 
ber, and  were  members  of  the  following  Lodges : — Twelve  belonged  to 
No.  31,  three  of  whom  had  been  reinstated  by  petition  to  the  Grand 
Master ;  four  belonged  to  No.  59,  who  had  all  been  restored  by  peti- 
tion; nine  to  74;  seven  to  No.  140,  two  of  whom  had  been  restored: 
one  to  No.  182;  five  to  No.  348,  four  of  whom  had  been  readmitted; 
one  to  No.  378 ;  one  to  number  380,  and  he  had  been  restored ;  five 
to  No.  442.  four  of  whom  had  been  reinstated ;  seven  to  No.  466,  four 
of  whom  were  restored ;  twelve  to  No.  486,  three  of  whom  had  been 
restored ;  and  four  to  No.  655,  who  had  all  been  restored. 


OF    MASONRY.  333 

easily  subside.  The  leaven  continued  to  work;  and 
those  who  refused  to  submit  to  the  authoritative  man- 
date of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  to  conciliate  by  a  respectful 
submission,  resolved  once  more  to  have  recourse  to  the 
old  system  of  menace ;  and,  in  September,  1823,  the  Sea 
Captains'  Lodge  at  Liverpool,  No.  140,  having  trans- 
mitted to  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  its  last  meeting,  a  paper 
dated  29th  May,  1823,  and  signed  by  John  Thompson, 
W.  M.,  Peter  Bairibridge,  S.  W.,  Thomas  Read,  J.  W., 
and  Thomas  Berry,  Sec.,  in  which  paper  it  was  declared 
to  be  the  fixed  resolution  of  the  said  Lodge  to  separate 
itself  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  unless  the  warrant  of  the 
late  Lodge  No.  31,  at  Liverpool,  should  be  reinstated, 
and  the  privileges  of  the  twenty-six  individuals,  who  had 
been  expelled  from  the  Craft,  were  restored ;  and  it 
appearing  that  three  of  the  individuals  who  had  signed 
the  said  paper  were  amongst  those  who  had  been  so 
expelled,  and  the  fourth  was  not  registered  as  a  member 
of  the  Lodge,  it  had  been  ordered,  that  the  Lodge,  No. 
140,  should  be  summoned  to  show  cause,  at  this  meeting, 
why  its  warrant  should  not  be  declared  forfeited,  and  the 
Lodge  erased,  for  continuing  or  admitting  as  members, 
individuals  who  had  been  expelled  from  Masonry,  and 
for  transmitting  or  sanctioning  the  said  paper.  And, 
as  no  communication  could  be  held  with  the  expelled 
members,  it  was  intimated  to  the  Lodge  that  its  only 
admissible  representatives  would  be  the  regular  Past 
Masters  and  Past  Wardens.  And  it  was  ordered,  that 
Thomas  Read,  who  signed  the  above  paper  as  Junior 
Warden,  without  being  registered  as  a  member  of  the 
Lodge,  should  be  summoned  to  show  cause  why  he 
should  not  be  expelled  from  Masonry,  for  having  affixed 
his  signature  to  the  paper  in  question.  The  parties  thus 
summoned  not  having  appeared  to  answer  to  the  com- 
plaint, it  was  ordered  ."  that  the  warrant  of  the  Sea 
Captains'  Lodge  at  Liverpool,  No.  140,  be,  and  the  same 
is,  hereby  declared  forfeited,  for  violating  the-laws  of  the 
Craft,  and  for  contumacy,  and  that  the  Lodge  be  accord- 
ingly erased  from  the  list  of  Lodges:  and  that  the  said 
Thomas  Read,  so  signing  himself  as  J.  W.  of  the  Lodge, 
No.  140,  although  not  registered  as  a  member  thereof, 
be  henceforth  disqualified  from  acting  as  a  Mason,  or 
from  being  recognized  or  received  as  such  in  any  Lodge 


334  ILLUSTRATIONS 

whatever."  This  prompt  example  was  completely  effi- 
cacious, and  from  hence  we  hear  no  more  of  opposition 
or  -intemperate  resistance  to  the  decrees  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

SECT.  XIX. 

History  of  Freemasonry  from  1823  to  1829. 

IN  the  year  1823,  the  installation  of  his  Royal  High- 
ness the  Duke  of  York,  as  Master  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's 
Lodge,  was  performed;  and  was  attended  by  some  cir- 
cumstances which  may  be  interesting  to  the  Craft.  The 
warrant  of  constitution  had  been  granted  to  this  Lodge 
in  the  year  1787,  by  his  Royal  Higness  the  late  Duke  of 
Cumberland,  at  the  instance  of  his  present  Majesty,  then 
Prince  of  Wales.  In  this  warrant,  Sir  Samuel  Hulse,  the 
Honourable  Colonel  Stanhope,  and  the  late  Lord  Lake, 
were  nominated  as  the  Master  and  Wardens;  but  in  the 
year  1792,  their  Royal  Highnesses  the  Dukes  of  York 
and  Clarence  were  appointed  to  the  latter  offices,  which 
they  continued  to  hold  till  his  Majesty's  accession  in 
1820. 

The  following  Memorial  was  shortly  afterwards  pre- 
sented to  his  Majesty,  who  was  graciously  pleased  to 
accede  to  the  prayer  of  it,  in  terms  as  flattering  to  the 
Lodge  as  they  were  characteristic  of  that  accomplished 
urbanity  so  peculiarly  possessed  by  the  revered  sovereign 
of  these  realms : — 

WE,  your  Majesty's  most  dutiful  and  loyal  subjects,  the  Acting 
Master,  Wardens,  and  Brethren  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  Lodge, 
humbly  entreat  permission  to  approach  your  Majesty  with  the  expres- 
sion of  our  affectionate  attachment  to  your  Majesty's  person.  Un- 
willing to  break  in  upon  your  Majesty's  privacy  during  the  first  period 
of  your  happy  accession  to  the  throne  of  these  realms,  we  have 
hitherto  refrained  from  presenting  this  our  humble  Petition.  For 
many  years  past  it  has  been  the  highest  honour  of  which  our  Lodge 
can  boast,  and,  at  the  same  time,  its  greatest  pride,  to  recognize  your 
Majesty  as  its  patron  and  protector,  in  the  character  of  Master  of  the 
Lodge. 

In  making  this  our  earnest  solicitation,  that  the  same  high  patron- 
age may  be  continued  to  us,  we  trust  we  are  not  acting  incompatibly 
with  our  respectful  duty  to  a  beloved  Sovereign,  or  presuming  to<j 
much  upon  that  condescending  benignity  which  has  hitherto  been  so 
graciously  manifested  towards  us. 

We  fuithcr  humbly  petition,  that  the  Lodge  may  be  permitted  to 


OF    MASONRY.  335 

retain  the  jewel  so  long  worn  by  its  members,  as  their  most  honour- 
able and  distinctive  badge,  and  be  empowered  to  present  it  to  all 
future  members  of  the  Lodge  ;  or  if  your  Majesty  should  be  pleased 
to  make  any  alteration  herein,  we  shall  bow  with  dutiful  submission 
to  the  royal  will:  and,  under  every  circumstance,  feel  the  deepest 
sense  of  gratitude,-  veneration,  and  affection,  for  past  acts  of  kindness 
and  beneficence.  As  your  Majesty  has  long  possessed  the  love  and 
confidence  of  the  Society  of  Freemasons,  so  may  you,  Sire,  continue 
to  live  in  the  hearts  of  all  men;  from  no  class,  however,  can  this 
prayer  be  offered  up  to  the  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe  with  more 
fervour  and  sincerity,  than  from  those  individuals  who  have  the  high 
honour  to  be  members  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  Lodge. 

(Signed,  &c.) 

The  first  duty  of  the  Lodge  being  thus  performed, 
and  happily  sanctioned  by  the  gracious  reception  which 
this  Memorial  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  ;  the 
attention  of  the  Brethren  was  next  directed  to  the  Royal 
Senior  Warden,  the  Duke  of  York,  whose  support,  under 
existing  circumstances,  would  so  effectually  preserve  and 
perpetuate  the  proud  connexion  which  had  so  long 
existed  between  the  Lodge  and  its  Royal  Founder.  The 
following  letter  was  therefore  transmitted  to  his  Royal 
Highness  by  Lord  Dundas,  the  Master  :  — 


MAY    IT    PLEASE    YOUR    ROYAL 

We,  the  undersigned,  the  Acting  Master,  Wardens,  and  Brethren 
of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  Lodge,  having,  for  many  years,  been  honoured 
with  the  name  of  your  Royal  Highness  as  Senior  Warden,  together 
with  that  of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  as  Junior 
Warden  of  the  Lodge,  by  the  especial  appointment  of  his  present 
Majesty  when  Prince  of  Wales,  most  respectfully  beg  leave  to  repre 
sent,  that  the  Lodge  has,  upon  a  recent  Memorial  presented  to  the 
King,  received  the  proud  distinction  of  his  Majesty's  gracious  per- 
mission to  act  under  the  royal  patronage  ;  it  being,  however,  incom- 
patible with  the  dignity  of  the  throne,  that  the  Lodge  should  continue 
to  recognize  his  Majesty  as  its  Master,  with  great  humility  we  crave 
permission  to  tender  this  office  to  your  Royal  Highness's  acceptance. 

Should  we  be  fortunate  enough  to  obtain  your  Royal  Highness's 
assent  to  this  our  respectful  solicitation,  we  shall,  indeed,  feel  ourselves 
most  highly  honoured  ;  and  we  can  only  add.  that  it  will  be  an  addi- 
tional stimulus  to  our  exertions,  in  promoting  the  welfare,  respecta- 
bility, and  prosperity  of  a  Lodge,  which  is  already  deeply  sensible  of 
the  lustre  it  has  acquired  by  having  their  beloved  Sovereign  for  its 
immediate  patron. 

With  every  sentiment  of  respect  and  dutiful  attachment,  we  have 
the  honour  to  subscribe  ourselves, 

Your  Royal  Highness's 
Most  devoted  and  obedient  humble  Servants, 
(Signed,  &c.) 


336  ILLUSTRATIONS 

His  Royal  Highness,  with  the  greatest  kindness  and 
condescension,  acceded  to  the  request  of  the  Brethren ; 
and,  the  preliminary  measures  being  completed,  the 
installation  of  the  Master  Elect  took  place  on  Saturday, 
March  22,  1823,  at  the  Thatched  House  Tavern,  St. 
James's  Street.  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Sussex 
performed  the  ceremony,  and  conducted  the  whole  pro- 
ceedings with  the  greatest  masonic  dignity.  When  the 
new  Master  had  been  installed,  and  had  received  the 
customary  salutations,  he  appointed  and  invested  his 
Deputy  Master,  Wardens,  and  other  officers ;  after  which 
the  warrant,  the  book  of  constitutions,  the  Bible,  square, 
and  compasses,  the  bye-laws,  and  the  working  tools,  were 
»reserited  by  different  Brethren,  accompanied  by  appro- 
priate addresses.  The  former  were  presented  by  Sir 
Frederick  Fowke,  P.  S.  G.  W.  the  Deputy  Master,  with 
the  following  address: — 

I  have  peculiar  pleasure  in  presenting  to  your  Royal  Highness  a 
document  of  equal  interest  to  you,  Sir,  and  to  ourselves.  It  is  the 
Warrant  of  Constitution  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  Lodge,  which  was 
granted  by  your  Royal  Highness's  uncle,  the  late  Duke  of  Cumber- 
land, as  Grand  Master,  at  the  instance  of  his  present  Majesty,  then 
Prince  of  Wales. 

The  instrument.  Sir,  is  now  rendered  doubly  valuable  to  us,  from 
the  proud  accession  we  have  this  day  acquired  in  the  person  of  your 
Royal  Highness  as  Master  of  the  Lodge,  who  received  your  appoint- 
ment as  Senior  Warden  soon  after  the  first  formation  of  the  Lodge. 
May  we,  Sir,  long  continue  to  act  under  the  sanction  of  this  warrant, 
which  so  closely  connects  the  Lodge  with  your  Royal  Highness's 
family ;  and  which,  while  it  elicits  our  affectionate  attachment  to  its 
illustrious  members,  will  ever  be  a  gratifying  memento  of  that  duty  and 
allegiance  which,  as  men  and  Masons,  we  owe  to  our  Sovereign  and 
immediate  patron.  I  have  also  to  present  to  your  Royal  Highness 
the  Book  of  Constitutions,  which  contains  the  general  Laws  of 
Masonry,  and  the  Orders  and  Regulations  established  by  the  United 
Grand  Lodge  of  England,  for  the  guidance  and  orderly  government 
of  the  Society.  To  these  Orders  and  Regulations  it  is  our  duty,  as 
good  and  faithful  Masons,  to  submit,  in  the  perfect  confidence,  that,  as 
they  have  been  framed  with  great  deliberation  and  wisdom,  so  we  may 
be  satisfied  that  the  interests  of  the  Fraternity  will  be  best  consulted 
by  a  strict  and  willing  adherence  to  the  salutary  provisions  which  they 
contain. 

All  the  necessary  forms  in  the  Lodge  being  now  con- 
cluded, the  newly  installed  Master,  accompanied  by  his 
Royal  Brother,  retired  into  a  private  room,  and  the  rest 
of  the  Brethren  adjourned  to  the  drawing-room.  When 
dinner  was  announced,  they  were  marshalled  by  the 


OF    MASONRY-  337 

Director  of  Ceremonies,  and  went  in  procession  to  the 
Banqueting-roorn,  where  they  took  their  seats  according 
to  a  previous  arrangement,  that  they  might  receive  their 
Royal  Highnesses  in  due  form. 

The  two  Princes  entered  the  room  at  seven  o'clock, 
amidst  the  cheers  and  congratulations  of  the  assembly ; 
and  the  newly  installed  Master  took  the  chair,  supported 
-on  the  right  by  the  Duke  of  Sussex  and  Sir  John  Doyle, 
and  on  the  left  by  Lord  Dundas  and  Sir  F.  Fowke,  Bart. 
About  ninety  distinguished  Brethren,  including  upwards 
of  forty  Grand  Officers,  sat  down  to  this  animating 
banquet,  exhibiting  a  magnificent  display  of  masonic 
talent,  character,  and  respectability.  Several  addresses 
were  delivered  after  dinner  by  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  Sussex,  Sir  John  Doyle,  and  other  individuals; 
and  nothing  could  exceed  the  perfect  satisfaction  and 
pleasure  which  were  visible  on  every  countenance ; 
heightened  by  beholding  the  Royal  Brothers  <;  in  the 
badge  of  innocence,  and  bqnd  of  friendship,"  seated  by 
each  other's  side,  and  contributing  largely  to  the  soci- 
ality of  all  around  them.  They  retired  soon  after  eleven 
o'clock,  which  was  the  signal  for  the  meeting  to  break 
up,  as  the  Brethren  were  unwilling,  from  a  respectful 
feeling  towards  the  Illustrious  Brothers,  to  protract  their 
conviviality  beyond  the  hour  at  which  the  Royal  Chair- 
man had  quitted  his  post. 

The  author  of  the  little  pamphlet122  from  which  the 
above  particulars  have  been  extracted,  concludes  his 
account  of  this  festival  with  the  following  observation: 
— "  Men,  ignorant  of  the  real  objects  of  Masonry,  and 
accustomed  to  speak  slightingly  of  it,  may,  from  oc- 
currences like  these,  be  induced  to  entertain  a  more 
favourable  opinion  of  an  institution  which  folly  may 
misrepresent,  or  malevolence  calumniate ;  but  while, 
in  conformity  with  its  precepts,  we  continue  to  be 
peaceable  subjects,  and  while  kings  and  princes  are 
enrolled  under  its  banners,  we  may  defy  the  darts  of 
slander,  and  claim  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the 
community;  for  the  principles  of  Freemasonry  invari- 
ably lead  its  members  TO  FEAR  GOD,  LOVE  THEIR  NEIGH- 
BOUR, AND  HONOUR  THEIR  KING. 

122  Printed  and  published  by  Brother  Thiselton,  Goodge-street. 
16 


338  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  enterprising  traveller,  Belzoni,  to  whose  researches 
science  is  so  much  indebted,  prosecuted  his  antiquarian 
inquiries  with  such  independent  perseverance,  that,  neg- 
lecting his  own  emolument,  he  consigned  the  results  of 
his  labours  and  discoveries  to  the  sole  benefit  of  this 
country.123  In  stature  he  was  gigantic;  and  to  this 
accidental  perfection  he  himself  modestly  attributes  some 
portion  of  his  success  amongst  a  people  little  better 
than  savages.  It  is  well  known  that  iie  lost  his  life  in 

133  He  gives  the  following  summary  of  his  labours  in  the  year  1820; 
— u  My  native  place  is  the  city  of  Padua ;  I  am  of  a  Roman  family 
which  had  resided  there  for  many  years.  The  state  and  troubles  or 
Italy  in  1800,  which  are  too  well  known  to  require  any  comment  from 
me,  compelled  me  to  leave  it,  and  since  that  tune  I  have  visited  differ- 
ent parts  of  Europe,  and  suffered  many  vicissitudes.  The  greater 
part  of  my  younger  days  I  passed  in  Home,  the  0 inner  abode  of  my 
ancestors,  where  I  was  preparing  myself  to  become  a  monk  ;  but  the 
sudden  entry  of  the  French  army  into  that  city  altered  the  course 
of  my  education,  and,  being  destined  to  travel,  I  have  been  u  wanderer 
ever  since.  My  family  occasionally  supplied  me  with  remittances  ; 
but,  as  they  were  not  rich,  I  did  not  choose  to  be  a  burthen  to  them, 
and  contrived  to  live  on  my  own  industry,  and  the  little  knowledge  I 
had  acquired  in  various  branches.  I  turned  my  chief  attention  to 
hydraulics,  a  science  that  I  had  learned  at  Rome,  which  I  found  much 
to  my  advantage,  and  which  was  ultimately  tho  very  cause  of  my 
going  to  Egypt.  For  I  had  good  information  that  an  hydraulic  machine 
would  be  of  great  service  in  that  country,  to  irrigate  the  fields,  which 
want  water  only  to  make  them  produce  at  any  time  of  the  year.  But 
I  am  anticipating.  In  1803  I  arived  in  England;  soon  after  which  I 
married ;  and  after  residing  in  it  nine  years,  I  formed  a  resolution  of 
going  to  the  south  of  Europe.  Taking  Mrs.  Belzoni  with  me,  I  visited 
Portugal,  Spain,  and  Malta,  from  which  latter  place  we  embarked  for 
Egypt,  where  we  remained  from  1815  to  1819.  Here  I  had  the  good 
fortune  to  be  the  discoverer  of  many  remains  of  antiquity  of  that 
primitive  nation.  I  succeeded  in  opening  one  of  the  two  famous 
pyramids  of  Ghizeh,  as  well  as  several  of  the  tombs  of  the  kings  of 
Thebes.  Among  the  latter,  that  which  has  been  pronounced  by  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  scholars  of  the  age  to  be  the  tomb  o^ 
Psammuthis,  is  at  this  moment  the  principal,  the  most  perfect  an. 
splendid  monument  in  that  country.  «The  celebrated  bust  of  young 
Memnon,  which  I  brought  from  Thebes,  is  now  in  the  British 
Museum;  and  the  alabaster  sarcophagus,  found  in  the  tomb  of  the 
kings,  is  on  its  way  to  England. 

"Near  the  second  cataract  of  the  Nile,  I  opened  the  temple  of 
Ybsambul ;  then  made  a  journey  to  the  coast  of  the  Red  Sea.  to  the 
city  of  Berenice,  and  afterwards  an  excursion  in  the  western  Elloah. 
or  Oasis.  I  now  embarked  for  Europe ;  and,  after  an  absence  of 
twenty  years,  returned  to  my  native  country,  and  to  the. bosom  of 
my  family,  from  whence  I  proceeded  to  England." — Discoveries  in 
Egypt.  Pi  eface. 


OF    MASONRY.  339 

Africa,  in  the  year  1825,  in  which  quarter  of  the  globe 
he  was  initiated  into  Masonry,124  and  which  was  the  scene 
of  all  his  active  achievements:  and  so  little  was  he 
blessed  with  the  benefits  of  fortune,  that,  on  receiving 
the  unhappy  tidings  of  his  loss,  his  widow  found  herself 
wholly  destitute  of  support.  She  had  heard  of  Masonic 
benevolence,  and  made  her  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
where  the  simple  tale  of  real  distress  is  never  preferred 
in  vain.  The  M.  W.  Grand  Master  brought  to  the  notice 
of  that  august  body  the  distresses  of  the  widow.  He 
stated  that  Brother  Belzoni,  who  had  recently  lost  his 
life  during  his  travels  in  Africa,  was  initiated  at  Cairo, 
in  the  Lodge  of  the  Pyramids,  and  during  his  residence 
at  Cambridge  had  become  a  member  of  the  Lodge  of  the 
School  of  Plato,  No.  549,  in  that  place;  and,  as  notice 
had  been  given  in  the  General  Committee  of  an  intention 
to  submit  the  matter  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  bis  Royal 
Highness  moved,  and  it  was  resolved  unanimously, 
"  That  the  United  Grand  Lodge  of  Freemasons  of  En- 
gland, deeply  sympathizing  with  Mrs.  Belzoni,  on  the 
irreparable  loss  which  she,  as  well  as  the  lovers  of 
science  and  literature,  has  sustained  by  the  premature 
death  of  the  late  Brother  Belzoni,  do  contribute  the  sum 
of  50/.  out  of  the  Fund  of  Benevolence,  in  aid  of  the 
public  subscription  in  her  behalf." 

121  The  Mason,  however,  is  a  citizen  of  the  world  ;  and,  in  whatever 
clime  misfortune  may  overtake  him,  should  he  meet  with  Brothers, 
his  relief  is  certain.  In  this  particular  Masonry  is  respected  even  by 
pirates,  who  are  a  terror  to  every  other  order  of  men  ;  and  I  rejoice 
that  it  is  in  my  power  to  record  a  triumphant  and  well-authenticated 
illustration  of  the  fact.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Leith  and  Canongate 
Lodge  on  Thursday  evening.  March  5th,  1829,  a  visitor,  who  was  the 
captain  of  a  ship,  stated,  that,  when  sailing  in  the  South  American 
seas,  he  was  boarded  by  pirates,  whose  numbers  were  so  overpowering 
as  to  render  all  resistance  unavailing.  The  captain  and  several  of  the 
crew  were  treated  with  rudeness,  and  were  about  to  be  placed  in 
irons  while  the  plunder  of  the  ship  went  on.  In  this  situation,  when 
supplication  and  entreaty  were  disregarded,  the  captain,  as  a  dernier 
resort,  matte  the  mystic  sign,  "which  none  but  Craftsmen  ever  kne\v.': 
The  commander  of  the  piratical  crew  immediately  returned  the  sign, 
and  gave  orders  to  stop  proceedings.  He  grasped  his  newly-discovered 
Brother  by  the  hand  with  all  the  familiarity  of  an  old  acquaintance, 
and  swore  he  should  sustain  no  injury.  Mutual  acts  of  kindness  then 
passed  between  them  ;  every  article  that  had  been  seized  was  restored 
to  its  place,  and  the,  two  ships  parted  company  with  three  hearty 
cheers. — Stirling  Journal. 


340  ILLUSTRATIONS 

The  flourishing  state  of  Masonry,  in  a  provincial  town, 
is  a  subject  not  unworthy  of  notice  in  a  general  history 
of  the  Craft.  In  the  year  1827,  the  members  of  the 
Humber  Lodge,  No.  73,  in  Kingston-upon-Hull,  finding 
that  the  room  occupied  by  them,  at  the  Turk's  Head, 
was  much  too  small  and  incommodious  to  accommodate 
their  increasing  numbers,  entered  into  a  subscription  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  masonic  Hall,  in  addition  to 
the  two  already  existing  in  that  opulent  sea-port.  The 
requisite  sum  being  speedily  raised,  a  deputation  of  the 
officers  and  brethren  waited  on  R.  Mackenzie  Beverley, 
Esq.,  G.  S.  and  D.  P.  G.  M.  for  the  North  and  East 
Hidings  of  the  county  of  York,  to  request  his  assistance 
in  laying  the  foundation-stone  of  the  intended  building ; 
to  which  he  immediately  assented,  and  named  the  7th  of 
May  for  the  performance  of  that  solemnity.  On  the  day 
proposed,  a  large  body  of  the  members  of  the  Humber 
Lodge,  attended  by  a  numerous  company  of  visitors  from 
other  Lodges  in  the  town  and  neighbourhood,  assembled 
at  the  appointed  hour.  The  Lodge  was  opened  in  due 
form  at  the  Neptune  Innt  by  the  D.P.G.M.,  and  the  pre- 
paratory ceremonies  were  performed.125  The  D.P.G.M. 
inquired  of  the  building  Master,  if  his  Lodge  was  lawful, 
and  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  proceeded  to  a 
more  accurate  investigation. 

D.P.Gr.M.  "I  hereby,  in  the  presence  of  all  these 
worshipful  Masters,  Wardens,  and  Deacons,  and  in  the 
presence  of  all  these  Master  Masons,  worthy  and  diligent 
workmen  of  our  secret  Craft,  do  ask  of  you  and  of  your 
company,  if  you  know  yourself,  at  this  time,  to  have 
done  any  thing  contrary  to  the  laws  of  Masonry, 
which  has  not  been  told  to  the  Provincial  Authorities, 
and  whereby  you  should  be  suspended  from  your 
work?" 

W.M.  "  We  are  good  Masons  at  this  very  time." 
D.P.G.M.   *'  Have  you,  amongst  your  company,  any 
brother  guilty  of  brawlings,  strife,  and  disobedience  in 
open  lodge?" 

W.M.  "  We  have  none,  Right  Worshipful  Master." 
D.P.G.M.  "  Have  you  any  brother  who,  in  open  lodge, 

136  Having  had  the  honour  to  assist  at  this  imposing  ceremony,  I 
am  able  to  describe  it  minutely. — EDITOR. 


OF    MASONRY.  341 

is  guilty  of  drunkenness,  common  swearing,  or  piofane 
words?" 

W.M;  "  We  have  none,  Right  Worshipful  Master/1 

D.P.Gr.M.  "  Have  you  authority  to  do  this  day's 
work?" 

W.M.  "  We  have,  Right  Worshipful,  and,  with  your 
permission,  will  here  read  it." 

The  authority  was  then  read,  after  which  the  D.P.G.M. 
resumed,  "  Masters,  Wardens,  Deacons,  and  all  working 
Masons,  all  is  right  and  as  it  should  be ;  and  I  give  you 
all  joy  of  this  day's  work.  It  has  begun  in  zeal — let  it 
end  in  charity ;  and  let  us  give  due  praise  to  the  Master 
and  Brothers  of  the  Humber  Lodge,  for  wishing  to  raise 
a  temple  to  Masonry.  May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  be 
with  us  all ;  and  may  the  new  Lodge  increase  in  virtue, 
harbour  the  poor  Brethren,  and  console  the  rich !  Amen 
and  Amen." 

The  Ark  of  the  covenant  was  now  introduced  and 
furnished,  and  the  veil  was  consecrated  with  the  usual 
ceremonies;  after  which  the  procession  was  formed  to 
the  site  of  the  intended  building,  in  Osborne-street,  ip 
the  following  order  : — 

Two  Tylers  with  drawn  Swords. 

Band  of  Music. 

Masons  not  being  members  -of  any  Lodge,  two  and  two. 
Visiting  members  of  neighbouring  Lodges,  two  and  two. 

The  Foundation-stone,  carried  by  four  Masons. 

Deacons     J          Banner  of  the  Humber  Lodge.          )     Deacons 

with  Staves.  \        Members  of  the  Humber  Lodge.        {  with  Staves. 

Two  Stewards  with  Wands. " 

A  Banner. 

Koyal  Arch  Masons,  in  sashes  and  aprons,  two  and  two. 

The  Corn,  Wine,  Oil,  and  Salt,  borne  by  Master  Masons. 

Chaplain  of  the  Humber  Lodge. 

Past  Masters. 
The  Bible,  Square,  and  Compasses,  on  a  crimson  velvet  cushion, 

borne  by  a  Master  Mason. 
The  Ark,  with  its  covering,  borne  by  four  Master  Masons. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer  with  their  Jewels. 

Senior  and  Junior  Wardens  with  their  Pillars. 

Steward      <         Master  of  the  Humber  Lodge.          £      Steward 

with  a  wand.  \  Marshal  with  a  Baton.  )  with  a  wand. 

The  Globes,  borne  by  two  Master  Masons. 

Banner  of  the  D.P.G.M. 
Acting  Provincial  Grand  Sword  Bearer, 

Provincial  Grand  Secretary. 
Provincial  Grand  Architect,  with  a  plan  of  the  building. 


342  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Two  Marshals  with  Batons. 

Two     C    Brother  R.  M.  BEVERLEY,  Esq.,  D.P.G.M.,     C     Two 

Sword   <       in  his  robes,  under  a  canopy  of  silk,  borne      <    Sword 

Bearers.  (  by  six  Master  Masons.  (  Bearers, 

Brother  REV.  G.  OLIVER,  P.G.C.  for  Lincolnshire,  in  his  robes, 

attended  by  four  Master  Masons  with  wands. 

Banner  of  the  Apollo  Lodge,  Grimsby. 

Two  Tylers  with  Swords. 

On  arriving  at  the  ground,  the  Brethren  formed  them- 
selves into  a  square  about  the  foundation,  although  they 
were  somewhat  incommoded  by  the  immense  concourse 
of  people  who  had  assembled  to  witness  the  ceremony. 
The  canopy  of  the  D.P.G.M.  was  placed  to  the  east  of 
the  foundation-stone,  and  before  the  ceremonies  com- 
menced, he  addressed  the  spectators  as  follows . — 

"Men,  women,  and  children,  here  assembled  to-day,  to  behold  this 
ceremony,  know  all  of  you  that  we  are  lawful  Masons,  true  to  the 
laws  of  our  country,  and  professing  to  fear  God,  who  is  the  Great 
Architect  of  all  things,  to  confer  benefits  on  our  Brethren,  and  to 
practise  universal  benevolence  to  all  mankind.  We  have  amongst 
us,  concealed  from  the  eyes  of  all  men,  secrets  which  may  not  be 
revealed,  and  which  no  man  has  discovered.  But  these  secrets  are 
lawful  and  honourable,  and  are  placed  in  the  custody  of  Masons,  who 
alone  have  the  keeping  of  them  to  the  end  of  time.  Unless  our 
Craft  were  good  and  our  calling  honourable,  we  should  not  have 
existed  for  so  many  centuries ;  nor  should  we  have  had  so  many  illus- 
trious Brothers  in  our  Order,  ever  ready  to  sanction  our  proceedings, 
and  contribute  to  our  prosperity.  To-day  we  are  assembled  in  the 
face  of  you  all  to  build  a  house  for  Masonry,  which  we  pray  God  may 
prosper,  if  it  seem  good  unto  Him ;  that  it  may  become  a  house  for 
great  and  worthy  men  to  practise  beneficent  actions,  and  to  promote 
h/trmony  and  brotherly  love  till  the  world  itself  shall  end." 

The  plan  was  then  produced  by  the  architect,  which 
was  handed  round  to  the  Brethren,  after  being  inspected 
by  the  D.P.G.M.,  who  anointed  the  tools  of  Masonry 
with  oil,  and  delivered  them  to  the  Master  of  the  build- 
ing Lodge,  who  transferred  them  to  the  architect. 
When  the  foundation-stone  was  lowered  into  its  bed,  the 
D.P.G.M.  struck  it  three  times  with  the  gavel,  and  the 
following  Prayer  of  Benediction  was  recited  by  the 
Provincial  Grand  Chaplain  for  the  county  of  Lincoln  : — 

"  May  the  Almighty  Architect  of  the  Universe,  who  has  disposed 
all  things  in  order  according  to  the  excellency  of  his  will,  who  made 
the  heavens  for  his  majesty,  the  sun  and  stars  for  his  glory  and  oui 
comfort,  and  the  earth  as  a  place  for  the  exercise  of  our  obedience  to 
his  laws,  look  down  upon  us  Master  Masons,  now  endeavouring  to 


OF    MASONRY.  343 

build  a  house  according  to  the  rules  of  charity,  in  the  bond  of  love. 
May  this  house,  of  which  we  have  placed  the  first  stone  in  the  earth, 
be  a  habitation  for  worthy  men  to  meet  together  to  do  good ;  may 
their  secret  assemblies  be  convened  in  law,  proceed  in  honour,  and 
end  in  charity ;  may  all  Masons  that  enter  under  the  shadow  of  its 
roof,  remember  that  the  secret  of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him. 
May  the  work  done  here  prosper :  may  the  workmen  be  comforted ; 
may  no  strife,  brawling,  or  unseemly  words  be  heard  within  its  Walls ; 
may  the  master  love  the  Brethren,  and  the  Brethren  honour  and  obey 
the  master ;  may  our  going  out  and  our  coming  in  be  blessed  for 
evermore ;  may  our  baskets  be  filled  with  plenteousness,  and  tho 
voice  of  joy  and  thanksgiving  abound ;  may  there  be  no  mourning 
nor  sorrow  of  heart,  and  may  the  wayfaring  Mason  find  comfort  in 
his  journey  to  his  home  when  he  passeth  by  the  gates  of  this  house. 
0  Lord,  prosper  thou  our  work,  yea,  prosper  thou  our  handy  work, 
and  teach  us  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  to  build  up  in  the  beauty 
of  holiness  that  temple  of  our  souls  which  thou  hast  given  us  to  adorn 
with  all  good  works,  till  we  arrive  at  that  glorious  mansion  in  the 
skies,  where  all  things  are  perfect,  and  there  is  no  more  labour,  but 
peace  and  happiness  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen." 

The  D.P.G.M.  then  anointed  the  foundation-stone  with 
oil,  and  strewed  upon  it  some  grains  of  wheat  and  salt, 
and  drops  of  wine,  repeating  the  one  hundred  arid  thirty- 
third  Psalm  ;  after  which  the  procession  returned  in  the 
same  order  to  the  Neptune  Inn,  where  about  one  hun- 
dred Brethren  sat  down  to  an  excellent  dinner,  and  the 
evening  was  spent  with  the  greatest  harmony  and  bro- 
therly love. 

The  building  was  completed  in  the  ensuing  Septem- 
ber, when  Brother  R.  Mackenzie  Beverley,  the  Grand 
Superintendent  of  the  Province,  issued  his  summonses 
for  a  Grand  Provincial  Arch-Chapter,  to  be  held  at  the 
new  masonic  Hall,  at  which  time  the  Lodge  was  dedi- 
cated with  the  usual  ceremonies. 

After  the  death  of  H.  R.  H.  tlie  Duke  of  York,  the 
Prince  of  Wales' s  Lodge  continued  to  receive  a  more 
than  ordinary  meed  of  honour  and  distinction.  H.  R.  H. 
the  Duke  of  Sussex,  G.M.,  convened  an  especial  Grand 
Lodge  on  Friday,  the  22d  of  February,  1828,  for  the 
purpose  of  securing  to  that  Lodge  a  continuance  of  the 
royal  patronage,  which  it  had  hitherto  enjoyed.  The 
Grand  Lodge,  numerously  attended,  was  opened  in  ample 
form  at  the  Thatched  House  Tavern.  The  following 
distinguished  Brethren  were  present : — 

H,  R.  H.  Prince  Augustus  Frederick,  Duke  of  Sussex, 
M.  W.  Grand  Master,  on  the  Throne. 


344  ILLUSTRATIONS 

His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Leinster,  Grand  Master  of  Ireland. 

The  Right  Honourable  Lord  Dundas,  D.G.M. 
Gen.  Sir  John  Doyle,  Bart.,  G.C.B.,  D.P.G.M. 

Richard  Percival,  Esq.,  S.G.W. 

William  VV.  Prescott,  Esq.,  P.S.G.W.  as  J.G.W. 

The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Yarborough,  P.G.M.  Isle  of  Wight. 

Charles  Tennyson,  Esq.,  M.P.,  P.G.M.  Lincolnshire. 

C.  K.  K.  Tynte,  Esq.,  M.P.,  P.G.M.  Somersetshire. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Colman,  Past  P.G.M.  Norfolk,  and  G.C. 

Sir  William  Rawlins,  P.S.G.W. 
Sir  Frederick  Fowke,  Bart.,  P.S.G.W. 
Rev.  Barnard  Han  bury,  G.  Chaplain. 
Rev.  Lucius  Coghlan,  D.D.,  Past  G.  Chaplain. 
William  Meyrick,  Esq.,  G.  Registrar. 
William  H.  White,  >  Q  g 
Edwards  Harper,      j 

With  the  rest  of  tho  Grand  Officers,  the  Grand  Stewards  for  the  year, 
and  the  Mast* -rs.  Past  Masters,  and  Wardens  of  the  Grand  Stewards' 
and  many  other  Lodges. 

The  Grand  Master  observed,  that  feeling  it  to  be  of  the 
first  importance  to  obtain  the  sanction  and  protection  of 
the  members  of  the  Royal  Family  to  the  proceedings  of 
the  Craft,  and  being  anxious  that  the  Prince  of  Wales' s 
Lodge,  No.  493,  which  had  for  so  many  years  past  been 
honoured  by  the  presidency  of  the  Royal  Family — first, 
in  the  person  of  his  present  Majesty  when  Prince  of 
Wales,  and  afterwards  by  his  late  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  York — should  still  continue  to  have  a  royal  per- 
sonage at  its  head, — for  this  purpose,  he  had  solicited 
his  illustrious  relative,  the  Duke  of  Clarence,  the  Lord 
High  Admiral,  a  Past  Deputy  Grand  Master  of  the  Craft, 
to  take  the  command  of  that  Lodge,  and  he  had  now  the 
satisfaction  to  announce  to  the  Grand  Lodge  that  his 
solicitation  had  met  the  desired  result,  his  Royal  High- 
ness having  been  graciously  pleased  to  accede  to  the 
request.  Feeling  that  this  important  .occurrence  and 
manifestation  of  regard  towards  the  fraternity  by  H.  R.  H. 
the  Duke  of  Clarence  should  be  met  by  the  Craft  with 
every  demonstration  of  respect,  gratitude,  and  duty ;  and 
considering  also,  that  the  Master's  jewel  of  the  Prince  of 
Wales's  Lodge  had,  under  very  peculiar  circumstances, 
been  received  by  him,  the  M.  W.  Grand  Master,  in  Grand 
Lodge,  his  Royal  Highness  deemed  it  expedient  that  he 
should  deliver  it  to  the  care  of  his  royal  brother  in  the 
most  effective  and  ample  form  possible ;  he  had,  there- 


OF    MASONRY.  346 

fore,  convened  this  meeting,  that  the  ceremony  of  inves- 
titure might  be  performed  in  a  Grand  Lodge. 

His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  Clarence  having 
arrived,  was  conducted  into  the  Lodge,  and  according  to 
ancient  custom,  was  installed  by  the  M.  W.  Grand  Mas- 
ter as  Master  of  the  Prince  of  Wales's  Lodge,  and  was 
proclaimed  and  saluted  with  the  usual  honours. 

In  conducting  the  affairs  of  such  an  unwieldy  body  as 
Masonry  has  now  become,  it  is  evident  that  considerable 
expenses  must  be  periodically  incurred,  besides  the  vast 
sums  annually  voted  from  the  Fund  of  Benevolence  for 
the  relief  of  distressed  Brethren,  or  their  widows  and 
orphan  children  ;  and  these  expenses  can  be  provided  for 
by  no  other  means  so  equitably  as  the  periodical  contri- 
butions of  the  members.  It  has  accordingly  been  agreed, 
with  the  general  consent  of  the  Craft,  that  the  fee  for 
"  registering  a  Mason  within  the  London  district,  be  one 
guinea;  for  a  Mason  made  in  a  country,  foreign,  or  mili- 
tary lodge,  ten  shillings  and  sixpence ;  for  a  Brother 
joining  a  Lodge  in  the  London  district,  he  having  been 
initiated  in  another  Lodge,  five  shillings ;  and  for  a 
Brother  so  joining  a  country,  foreign,  or  military  Lodge, 
two  shillings  and  sixpence.  Every  member  of  each  lodge 
in  the  London  district,  to  pay  towards  the  fund  for  ma- 
sonic benevolence,  one  shilling  per  quarter,  or  four  shil- 
lings per  annum  ;  and  every  member  of  each  country, 
foreign,  or  military  Lodge,  sixpence  per  quarter,  or  two 
shillings  per  annum."126 

These  payments,  so  trifling  to  each  individual  Lodge, 
are  expected  to  be  punctually  and  regularly  discharged, 
and  a  non-compliance  with  the  ordinance  subjects  the 
offending  Lodge,  very  justly,  to  censure,  and,  in  extreme 
cases,  to  erasure.  The  Grand  Lodge,,  however,  is  generally 
indulgent  in  this  particular ;  but  if,  after  repeated  admo- 
nitions, its  clemency  be  abused,  it  will  not  fail  to  put  its 
powers  into  execution,  and  rigorously  enforce  the  pen- 
alty. These  observations  have  been  elicited  by  a  very 
extensive  example,  which  was  made  at  a  Quarterly  Com- 
munication of  the  5th  March,  1828 ;  by  which  fifty-nine 
Lodges,  having  neglected,  for  a  considerable  space  ot 
time,  to  make  any  returns  or  communications  to  the 

126  Const.  "Of  Contributions." 
16* 


346  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Grand  Lodge,  although  repeatedly  called  on  for  that 
purpose,  were  erased  from  the  books,  and  their  warrants 
declared  forfeited. 

Having  thus  brought  down  the  History  of  Masonry  to 
the  year  1828,  the  Editor  takes  leave  of  his  Brethren  by 
recommending  to  them,  as  the  most  efficient  means  of 
ensuring  the  permanency  and  extending  the  influence  of 
the  Craft,  the  cultivation  of  that  beautiful  code  of  morals 
which  runs  like  a  rich  vein  through  the  entire  system  of 
Freemasonry;  assured  that  nothing  can  tend  so  effec- 
tually to  crown  the  science  with  the  verdant  wreath  of 
public  approbation,  as  the  virtuous  life  and  guileless 
demeanour  of  its  assiduous  professors. 


OF    MASONRY.  847 


MASONIC    POETRY: 


A  COLLECTION 


ODES,  ANTHEMS,  AND  SONQS 


ODE  I. 

BY  MR.    CUNNINGHAM. 

HAIL  to  the  Craft !  at  whose  serene  command 
The  gentle  Arts  in  glad  obedience  stand : 
Hail,  sacred  Masonry !  of  source  divino, 
Unerring  sov'reign  of  th'  unerring  line  : 
Whose  plumb  of  truth,  with  never-failing  sway. 
Makes  the  join'd  parts  of  symmetry  obey  : 
Whose  magic  stroke  bids  fell  confusion  cease, 
And  to  the  finish' d  Orders  gives  a  place  : 
Who  calls  vast  structures  from  the  womb  of  earth, 
And  gives  imperial  cities  glorious  birth. 

To  works  of  Art  her  merit  not  confin'd, 
She  regulates  the  morals,  squares  the  mind ; 
Corrects  with  care  the  sallies  of  the  soul, 
And  points  the  tide  of  passions  where  to  roll : 
On  virtue's  tablet  marks  her  moral  rule, 
And  forms  her  Lodge  an  universal  school ; 
Where  Nature's  Mystic  laws  unfolded  stand, 
And  Sense  and  Science  join'd,  go  hand  in  hand. 

0  may  her  social  rules  instructive  spread, 
Till  Truth  erect  her  long-neglected  head  ! 
Till  through  deceitful  night  she  dart  her  ray, 
And  beam  full  glorious  in  the  blaze  of  day  ! 
Till  men  by  virtuous  maxims  learn  to  move, 
Till  all  the  peopled  world  her  laws  approve, 
And  Adam's  race  are  bound  in  Brothers*  love. 


348  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ODE  II. 

Written  by  a  Member  of  the  Alfred  Lodge  at  Oxford,  set  to  Music  by 
Dr.  FISHER,  and  performed  at  the  dedication  of  Freemasons'  Hall. 

STROPHE. 

AIR. 

WHAT  solemn  sounds  on  holy  Sinai  rung, 
When  heavenly  lyres,  by  angel  fingers  strung, 
Accorded  to  th'  immortal  lay 
That  hymn'd  creation's  natal  day ! 

RECITATIVE,  accompanied. 
'Twas  then  the  shouting  sons  of  morn 
Bless'd  the  great  Omnific  word ; 
Abash'd,  hoarse  jarring  atoms  heard, 
Forgot  their  pealing  strife, 
And  softly  crowded  into  life, 
When  order,  law,  and  harmony  were  born. 

CHORUS. 

The  mighty  Master's  pencil  warm 
Trac'd  out  the  shadowy  form, 
And  bade  each  fair  proportion  grace 
Smiling  Nature's  modest  face. 

AIR. 

Heaven's  rarest  gifts  were  seen  to  join 
To  deck  a  finish' d  form  divine, 

And  fill  the  Sovereign  Artist's  plan ; 
Th'  Almightv's  image  stampt  the  glowing  frame, 
And  seal'd  him  with  the  noblest  name, 

Archetype  of  beauty,  Man. 

ANTISTROPHE. 

SEMI-CHORUS   AND    CHORUS. 

Ye  spirits  pure,  that  rous'd  the  tuneful  throng, 
And  loos'd  to  rapture  each  triumphant  tongue, 

Again  with  quick  instinctive  fire 

Each  harmonious  lip  inspire  : 
Again  bid  every  vocal  throat 

Dissolve  in  tender  votive  strain. 

AIR. 

Now,  while  yonder  white-rob'd  train  m 
Before  the  mystic  shrine 
In  lowly  adoration  join, 
Now  sweep  the  living  lyre,  and  swell  the  melting  note. 

RECITATIVE. 

\        Yet,  ere  the  holy  rites  begin 
The  conscious  shrine  within, 
Bid  your  magic  song  impart. 

V  The  Brethren  in  their  white  aprons. 


OF   MASONRY.  849 

V 

AIR. 

How,  within  the  wasted  heart, 

Shook  by  passion's  ruthless  power, 

Virtue  trimm'd  her  faded  flower 
To  op'ning  buds  of  fairest  fruit: 

How  from  majestic  Nature's  glowing  face 

She  caught  each  animating  grace, 
And  planted  there  th'  immortal  root. 


EPODE. 
RECITATIVE,  accompanied. 

Daughter  of  gods,  fair  Virtue,  if  to  thee, 
And  thy  bright  sister,  Universal  Love, 

Soul  of  all  good,  e'er  flowed  the  soothing  harmony 
Of  pious  gratulation  ; — from  above. 

To  us,  thy  duteous  votaries,  impart 
Presence  divine. — 

AIR. 

The  sons  of  antique  art, 

In  high,  mysterious  jubilee, 

With  Paean  loud,  and  solemn  rite, 

Thy  holy  step  invite, 

And  court  thy  listening  ear, 

To  drink  the  cadence  clear 
That  swells  the  choral  symphony. 

CHORUS. 

To  thee,  by  foot  profane  untrod, 

Their  votive  hands  have  rear'd  the  high  abode. 

RECITATIVE. 

Here  shall  your  impulse  kind 
Inspire  the  tranced  mind  : 

AIR. 

And  lips  of  truth  shall  sweetly  tell 
What  heavenly  deeds  befit 
The  soul  by  wisdom's  lesson  smit, 

What  praise  he  claims  who  nobly  spurns 
Gay  vanities  of  life,  and  tinsel  joys, 

For  which  unpurged  fancy  burns. 


CHORUS. 

What  pain  he  shuns,  who  dares  be  wise. 
What  glory  wins,  who  dares  excel. 


350  ILLUSTRATIONS 

ODE  HI. 

Performed  at  every  Meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  HARODIM. 

Written  by  Brother  NOORTHOUCK. 
Set  to  Music  by  Companion  WEBBE. 

Sung  by  Companions  WEBBE,  GORE,  and  PAGE. 

OPENING. 

44  ORDER  is  Heaven's  first  law ;"  through  boundless  space 

Unnumber'd  orbs  roll  round  their  destm'd  race ; 

On  earth,  as  strict  arrangements  still  appear. 

Suiting  the  various  seasons  of  the  year, 

Beneficence  divine  presents  to  view 

Its  plenteous  gifts  to  man,  in  order  true ; 

But  chief  a  mind,  these  blessings  to  improve, 

By  arts,  by  science,  by  fraternal  love. 

DIVISION. 

When  men  exalt  their  views  to  Heaven's  high  will, 
With  stead v  aim  their  duty  to  fulfil. 

The  mind  expands,  its  strength  appears, 

Growing  with  their  growing  years, 
Mounting  the  apex  of  Masonic  skill, 
Be  this  the  earnest  purpose  of  our  lives ; 
Success  must  crown  the  man  who  nobly  strires ! 

CONCLUSION. 
Loud  let  us  raise  our  swelling  strains, 

And  Harodim  proclaim, 

Of  excellence  the  name ; 

Good- will  to  all,  love  to  each  other, 

The  due  of  every  skilful  Brother 
Who  worthily  our  ancient  lore  maintains!. 

Indulgence  in  pleasure 

By  prudence  we  measure ; 
And  cheerfully  parting,  exchange  an  adieu, 
Till  we  meet  with  fresh  ardour  our  tasks  to  renew. 

ODE  IV. 

Performed  at  Coach-makers'  Hall.     Written  by  ME  SHOWN. 
Set  to  Music  by  MR.  REMY. 

RECITATIVE.   . 

WHEN  first  the  golden  morn  aloft, 
With  maiden  breezes  whisp'ring  soft, 
Sprung  from  the  east  with  rosy  wing, 
To  kiss  the  heav'nly  first-born  spring ; 
Jehovah  then,  from  hallow'd  earth, 
Gave  Masonry  immortal  birth. 
'Twas  then,  the  new  creation  rung 
And  thus  the  host  of  Heaven  sung : 


OF    MASONRY.  861 


AIR. 
Hail,  hail,  0  hail,  thou  source  of  love, 

Great  Artist  of  this  goodly  frame! 
The  earth  and  sea,  the  sky  above, 

Thou  form'st  to  thy  immortal  fame. 

SEMI-CHORUS. 

To  thee,  our  sire, 

The  cherub  choir 
The  air  move  with  seraphic  sound ; 

Ye  breezes  sweet 

The  cadence  meet, 
And  waft  it  o'er  the  hallow'd  ground. 

AIR. 
Ten  thousand  orbial  beauties  bright, 

Which  long  confus'd  in  chaos  lay, 
Thou  brought' st  them  forth  to  give  delight, 

And  make  the  face  of  Heaven  gay. 

SEMI-CHORUS. 

To  thee,  our  sire,  &c. 

RECITATIVE. 

'Twas  thus  the  Heavens  in  concert  rung, 
While  Nature  kind  from  chaos  sprung, 
Brought  forth  her  tender  infant  green, 
And  flowery  sweets,  to  deck  the  scene ; 
To  finish  then  the  artist's  plan, 
Of  purest  mould  he  form'd  the  man, 
Then  gave  him  an  immortal  soul, 
And  bid  him  live  and  rule  the  whole ; 
While  angels,  from  their  golden  shrine, 
Sung  with  angelic  strains  divine : 

AIR. 

Happy,  happy  mortals,  rise, 
Taste  with  us  immortal  joys, 
Blooming  on  yon  sacred  tree, 
Planted  by  the  Deity; 
The  hallow'd  fruit  is  Masonry. 

Far  beyond  the  pregnant  sky, 
There  the  hopes  of  Masons  lie ; 
Masons'  happy  choice  above, 
Masons  every  blessing  prove, 
Friendship,  harmony,  and  love. 

RECITATIVE. 

As  perfect  love  and  power  divine 
First  gave  our  science  birth, 

So  Friendship  shall  our  hearts  entwine, 
And  harmonize  the  earth  : 

Behold  the  virgin  hither  flies, 

To  crown  us  with  her  blissful  joys. 


368  ILLUSTRATIONS 


Blooming  as  fair  Eden's  bower, 

Friendship,  goddess  heavenly  bright, 
Dropping  in  a  balmy  shower, 

Breathing  concord  and  delight; 
Each  Mason  feels  the  sacred  fire 

Glow  with  ardour  in  his  heart ; 
The  flame  inspires  him  with  desire, 

To  relieve  each  other's  smart. 

FULL  CHORUS 

From  Heaven  since  such  blessings  flow, 
Let  every  Mason  while  below 
Our  noble  science  here  improve : 
'Twill  raise  his  soul  to  realms  above, 
And  make  his  lodge — a  lodge  of  love. 

ODE  V. 

BY   MR.    THOMAS   DERMODY. 

THOU  fairest  type  of  Excellence  divine, 
Whose  social  links  the  race  of  man  combine, 
Whose  awful  mandates  coward  Vice  control, 
And  breathe  through  Nature  one  enlighten'd  soul; 
From  thy  mild  sway  benignant  virtues  rise, 
Pour  on  the  heart,  and  emulate  the  skies ; 
From  thy  sage  voice  sublime  Instruction  springs, 
While  Knowledge  waves  her  many-colour'd  wings, 
And  star-ey'd  Truth,  and  Conscience,  holy  zest, 
Enthron'd  true  feeling  in  the  glowing  breast, 
Then  deign  the  labour  of  thy  Sons  to  guide, 
O'er  each  full  line  in  nervous  sense  preside, 
Adorn  each  verse,  each  manly  thought  inflame, 
And  what  we  gain  from  Genius  give  to  Fame ! 

ODE  VI. 

BY   MR.    WILLIAM   WALKER. 

STRIKE  to  melodious  notes  the  golden  lyre ! 

Spread  wide,  to  all  around,  the  ardent  flame. 
Till  each  rapt  bosom  catch  the  sacred  fire, 
And  join  the  glorious  theme ! 

'Tis  Masonry, 
The  Art  sublimely  free, 
Where  Majesty  has  bow'd,  and  own'd  a  Brother's  name ! 

Through  ample  domes  wide  let  the  chorus  roll, 
Responsive  to  the  ardour  of  the  soul, 
Hail !  inspiring  Masonry ! 

To  thy  shrine  do  myriads  bend; 
Yet  more  glorious  shalt  thou  be, 

Till  o'er  the  world  thy  power  extend, 
Still  to  the  sons  of  Earth  thy  light  dispense, 
And  all  shall  own  thy  sacred  influence. 


OF    MASONRY.  353 

Though  Genius  fires,  yet  faint  his  rays  appear, 

Till  thy  mysterious  lore  the  soul  refine ; 
'Tis  thou  to  noblest  heights  his  thoughts  must  rear, 
And  make  them  doubly  shine. 

0,  Masonry ! 
Thou  Art  sublimely  free. 

'Tis  thou  exalt' st  the  man,  and  mak'st  him  half  divine. 
Ye  Masons,  favour'd  men,  your  voices  raise  ! 
You  speak  your  glory  while  you  sing  its  praise. 
Hail !  inspiring  Masonry,  &c. 

Blest  be  the  man,  and  blest  he  is,  who  bears 

With  virtuous  pride  a  Mason's  sacred  name ; 
And  may  each  Brother,  who  the  blessing  shares, 
Enrich  the  list  of  Fame. 
Blest  Masonry! 
Thou  Art  sublimely  free  ! 

Heav'n  bids  thy  happy  sons,  and  they  thy  worth  proclaim 
With  loud  assent !  their  cheerful  voices  raise, 
Their  great,  immortal  Masonry  to  praise, 
Hail !  inspiring  Masonry,  &c. 

The  tower  sky- pointing,  and  the  dome  sublime, 

Rais'd  by  the  mystic  rules  and  forming  power, 
Shall  long  withstand  the  iron  tooth  of  time, 
Yet  still  their  fall  is  sure: 

But  Masonry, 
The  Art  sublimely  free, 
Founded  by  God  himself,  thro'  time  shall  firm  endure. 

Still  shall  its  sons  their  grateful  voices  raise, 
And  joyful  sound  their  Great  Grand  Master's  praise. 
At  thy  shrine,  0  Masonry! 

Shall  admiring  nations  bend ;  ^ 

In  future  times,  thy  sons  shall  see 

Thy  fame  from  pole  to  pole  extend. 
To  worlds  unknown  thy  heav'n-born  light  dispense 
And  systems  own  thy  sacred  influence. 


ODE   VII. 

WAKE  the  lute  and  quiv'ring  strings, 
Mystic  truths  Urania  brings ; 
Friendly  visitant,  to  thee 
We  owe  the  depths  of  Masonry; 
Fairest  of  the  virgin  choir, 
Warbling  to  the  golden  lyre, 
Welcome;  here  thy  art  prevail! 
Hail !  divine  Urania,  hail ! 

Here  in  Friendship's  sacred  bower, 
The  downy-wing'd  and  smiling  hour, 
Mirth  invites,  and  social  song, 
Nameless  mysteries  among : 


364  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Crown  the  bowl  and  fill  the  glass. 
To  every  virtue,  every  grace, 
To  the  Brotherhood  resound 
Health,  and  let  it  thrice  go  round. 

We  restore  the  times  of  old, 
The  blooming  glorious  age  of  gold ; 
As  the  new  creation  free, 
Blest  with  gay  Euphrosyne ; 
We  with  godlike  Science  talk, 
And  with  fair  Astraea  walk ; 
Innocence  adorns  the  day 
Brighter  than  the  smiles  of  May. 

Pour  the  rosy  wine  again, 
Wake  a  brisker,  louder  strain  • 
Rapid  Zephyrs,  as  ye  fly, 
Waft  our  voices  to  the  sky  ; 
While  we  celebrate  the  Nine, 
And  the  wonders  of  the  Trine, 
While  the  angels  sing  above, 
As  we  below,  of  peace  and  love. 

ODE  VIII. 

For  an  Exaltation  of  Royal  Arch  Masons.     By  Brother 

DUNCKERLEY. 

[Tune,  Rule,  Britannia.] 

ALMIGHTY  Sire  !  our  heavenly  King, 
Before  whose  sacred  name  we  bend, 
Accept  the  praises  which  we  sing, 
And  to  our  humble  prayer  attend  ! 
All  hail,  great  Architect  divine! 
This  universal  frame  is  thine. 

Thou,  who  didst  Persia's  king  command 

A  proclamation  to  extend, 
That  Israel's  sons  might  quit  his  land, 

Their  holy  temple  to  attend ; 

That  sacred  place,  where  three  in  one 
Compris'd  thy  comprehensive  name  ; 

And  where  the  bright  meridian  sun 
Was  soon  thy  glory  to  proclaim. 

Thy  watchful  eye,  a  length  of  time, 
The  wond'rous  circle  did  attend; 

The  glory  and  the  power  be  thine, 
Which  shall  from  age  to  age  descend. 

On  thy  omnipotence  we  rest, 

Secure  of  thy  protection  here ; 
And  hope  hereafter  to  be  blest, 

When  we  have  left  th?s  world  of  care. 


OF    MASONRY.  355 

Grant  us,  great  God  !  thy  powerful  aid 

To  guide  us  through  this  vale  of  tears 
For  where  thy  goodness  is  display'd, 

Peace  soothes  the  mind,  and  Pleasure  cheers. 

Inspire  us  with  thy  grace  divine, 

Thy  sacred  law  our  guide  shall  be  : 
To  every  good  our  hearts  incline, 

From  every  evil  keep  us  free. 
All  hail!  &c. 


ODE   IX. 

By  the  SAME.     For  solemn  Ceremonies. 
[Tune,  God  save  the  King.] 

HAIL  !  universal  Lord ! 

By  heaven  and  earth  ador'd : 

All  hail !  great  God !  % 

Before  thy  name  we  bend, 
To  us  thy  grace  extend, 
And  to  our  prayers  attend, 

All  hail !  great  God ! 

ODE   X. 

Set  to  Music  by  DR.  ARNOLD. 

[Tune,  My  fond  Shepherd.] 
ASSIST  me,  ye  fair  tuneful  Nine, 

Euphrosyne,  grant  me  thy  aid ; 
While  the  honours  I  sing  of  the  Trine, 

Preside  o'er  my  numbers,  blithe  maid 
Cease,  Clamour  and  Faction,  oh  cease .' 

Fly  hence,  all  ye  cynical  train  : 
Disturb  not  the  Lodge's  sweet  peace, 

Where  silence  and  secrecy  reign. 

Religion  untainted  here  dwells ; 

Here  the  morals  of  Athens  are  taught ; 
Great  Hiram's  tradition  here  tells 

How  the  world  out  of  chaos  was  brought. 
With  fervency,  freedom,  and  zeal, 

Our  Master's  commands  we  obey; 
No  Cowan  our  secrets  can  steal, 

No  babbler  our  inyst'ries  betray. 

Here  Wisdom  her  standard  displays, 

Here  nobly  the  sciences  shine ; 
Here  the  temple's  vast  column  we  raise, 

And  finish  a  work  that's  divine. 
Ilium 'd  from  the  East  with  pure  light, 

Here  arts  do  their  blessings  bestow; 
And,  all  perfect,  unfold  to  the  sight, 

What  none  but  a  Mason  can  know. 


966  ILLUSTRATIONS 

If  on  earth  any  praise  can  be  found, 

Any  virtue  unnam'd  in  my  song, 
Any  grace  in  the  universe  round, 

May  these  to  a  Mason  belong ! 
May  each  Brother  kis  passions  subdue, 

Proclaim  Charity,  Concord,  and  Love ; 
And  be  hail'd  by  the  thrice  happy  few 

Who  preside  in  the  Grand  Lodge  above. 

ODE  XI. 

Written  for  (and  performed  at)  the  Union  of  the  two  Grand  Lodges, 
by  WALLER  RODWELL  WRIGHT,  Esq. ;  and  recited  by  Brother 
POPE,  of  th*  Theatre  Royal,  Drury-lane. 


STROPHE  I. 

\  H  for  a  hand,  whose  magic  power, 
Might  wake  the  lyre  of  other  days 
To  lofty  and  immortal  lays, 
Such  as,  in  bold  majestic  swell, 
Burst  from  the  Theban's  classic  shell. 
Where  through  Olympia's  consecrated  shade, 
Alpheus  rolls  his  turbid  course, 

That  linger' d  oft  those  shades  among 
And  listen'd  to  the  mighty  song ; 
Or  those  melodious  strains, 

Whose  gentle  but  resistless  force 
Boeotia's  very  rocks  obey'd 
What  time  amidst  her  wild  and  desert  plains, 
The  sacred  dome  and  high  embattled  tow'r 

In  self-compacted  order  rose* 
And  taught  the  wond'ring  Sons  of  Greece, 

Unfelt  before,  the  happiness  that  flows 
From  social  union,  harmony,  and  peace. 

ANTISTROPHE  I. 
Or  rather,  for  that  holy  ecstasy, 

Which  bade  the  Royal  Bard  of  Jesse's  line 
Attune  his  harp's  inspir'd  minstrelsy 

To  songs  of  seraphim  and  themes  divine ; 

For  while,  in  this  auspicious  hour, 
Our  hands  and  hearts  we  thus  unite, 
And  seek  in  closer  folds  to  bind 
The  compact  of  fraternal  love, 
The  vow  which  Angels  might  approve, 
Of  peace  and  charity  to  all  mankind ; 

While  taught  by  Faith,  before  the  throne 

Of  heaven's  High  Architect  we  bend, 
With  hope  that  rests  on  Him  alone, 
While  stars  like  these  their  radiance  blend 

Their  genial  influence  deign  to  pour 
On  this  our  high  and  solemn  rite ; 
Like  Sion's  hallo w'd  strain  the  song  shall  rise 
That  wafts  our  grateful  tribute  to  the  skies. 


OF    MASONRY.  867 

EPODE  I. 

Vain  is  the  hope — no  Master's  hand 
To-day  explores  the  breathing  lyre  ; 
No  gifted  bard,  whose  Heaven-imparted  fire 
Subdues  the  yielding  soul  to  his  command ; 
But  simple  are  the  votive  lays, 
That  breathe  our  gratitude  and  praise 
To  that  creative  Pow'r, 
Whose  wisdom  sketched  the  vast  design 
Of  Nature's  universal  plan : 

Whose  mighty  fiat  o'er  the  realms  of  night, 
Shed  the  first  glories  of  eternal  light ; 

Whose  spirit,  hov'ring  on  the  vast  profound, 
Laid  the  foundation  sure,  and  wide, 

By  Truth's  unerring  geometric  line, 
Above,  below,  on  every  side, 

Life,  harmony,  and  beauty  breath'd  around ; 
The  orbs  of  Heav'n  their  circling  course  began  • 
And  angels  hail'd  Creation's  natal  hour. 

STROPHE  II. 

One  last  and  greatest  work  remain'd. 

Hush'd  was  the  strain ;  in  silent  awe 
The  host  of  Heaven  with  wonder  saw 
The  cold  and  senseless  mass  that  lay, 
Unform'd,  amidst  its  native  clay, 

Now  kindling  with  a  spark  divine, 
True  to  the  laws  of  that  mysterious  spell, 
Which  binds  in  one  concordant  chain 
The  earth,  the  air,  the  ambient  main, 

Its  latent  powers  unfold — 
Each  limb  in  due  proportion  swell, 
In  beauteous  symmetry  combine 
To  frame  a  structure  of  immortal  mould. 
But  when  in  this  fair  form  its  Maker  deign'd 
To  breathe  an  intellectual  soul ; 

Then  first  the  angelic  hymn  began, 
Which  the  bright  spheres  still  echo  as  they  roll, 
Glory  to  God  in  Heav'n,  and  peace  to  man. 

ANTISTROPHE  II. 

And  shall  the  heir  of  immortality, 

Alone  regardless  of  this  high  behest, 
Quench  the  celestial  glow  of  charity 

Which  heav'nly  love  liath  kindled  in  his  breast? 
Perverting  reason's  holy  light, 
Deny  the  Power  by  which  'twas  given  1 
Or  arrogantly  deem  it  just, 

To  close  with  wild  fanatic  hate 
Fair  Mercy's  everlasting  gate, 
Against  his  erring  brother  of  the  dust  ? 


368  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Par,  far  from  such  unhallow'd  strife, 
In  man  a  kindred  soul  we  view; 
To  all  who  share  the  ills  of  life 
Our  pity  and  relief  are  due : 
•  Nor  ask  we  what  religious  rite 

Conveys  his  orisons  to  Heaven, 

Enough  for  us  if  comfort  we  impart, 

Or  soothe  the  anguish  of  a  breaking  heart 


EPODE  II. 

Lo,  where  our  silent  emblems  breathe 
Their  sacred  influence  o'er  the  soul, 
In  mystic  order  rang'd  :  while  round  the  whole 

A  starry  zone  the  sister  virtues  wreathe. 
Ye,  who  by  compass,  square,  and  line, 
Those  hidden  trliths  can  well  divine, 
To  all  besides  unknown. 

In  each  symbolic  form  pourtruy'd — 

Ye,  who  witli  firm  undaunted  mind, 

Have  pierc'd  the  vaulted  cavern's  awful  gloom 

And  mark'd  the  holy  secrets  of  the  tomb ; 

Still  let  our  actions  to  the  world  proclaim, 

The  secret  lessons  of  our  art, 

By  whatsoever  mystic  rite  convey'd, 

The  rules  of  moral  life  impart; — 

Nourish  bright  charity's  sethereal  flame; 

And  breathing  love  and  peuce  to  all  mankind, 

lake  incense  rise  at  Heaven's  eternal  throne. 


STROPHE  III. — IRREGULAR. 

Fair  Queen  of  science,  nurse  of  ev'ry  art 
That  crowns  the  happiness  of  social  life, 
Whose  dictates  from  the  desolating  strife 
Of  warring  passions,  purify  the  heart — 
In  ev'ry  clime,  through  cv'ry  age, 
The  Prince,  the  Poet,  and  the  Sage 
Have  knelt  before  thy  hallow'd  shrine ; 
And  nations  ownM  thy  origin  divine. — 
Great  HERMES,  founder  of  the  Memphic  rite 
And  MITHRAS  erst  through  Persia's  realm  rever'd; 
And  he,  who  to  ELEUSIS  bore 
The  treasures  of  thy  mystic  lore, 
But  chiefly  those  by  holy  truths  inspired; 
The  chosen  servant  of  the  living  God 
Who  Sinai's  holy  precinct  trod, 
And  he  with  love  of  sacred  wisdom  fir'd, 
The  Mighty  Priuce,  whose  pious  hand, 
To  the  eternal  fount  of  truth  and  light 
That  holy  temple  rear'd, 

The  pride  and  wonder  of  Judea's  land— 


OF    MASONRY.  369 

His  great  and  comprehensive  mind 

A  nobler  edifice  design'd, 
That  time  and  envy  should  defy — 

Founded  on  truth's  eternal  base, 

Vast  as  the  ample  bounds  of  space, 
And  sacred  to  fraternal  unity. 

ANTISTROPHE  III. — IRREGULAR. 
Long  were  the  task,  and  arduous,  to  recount 

What  streams  deriving  from  the  sacred  source 
Of  Sion's  pure  and  unpolluted  fount, 

Through  ev'ry  clime  have  roll'd  their  devious  course — 
From  where  Phoenicia  greets  the  eastern  tide, 
To  fair  Crotona's  western  tow'rs; 
Or  where,  amidst  Athenian  bow'rs, 
Ilissus  bids  his  waters  glide 
In  gentle  course  to  meet  th'  ^Egean  main  ; 
Or  how,  in  later  times,  'midst  dire  alarms, 
When  fierce  contending  nations  rush'd  to  arms, 
And  delug'd  Palestine's  ensanguin'd  plain, 
The  vanquish'd  victor' cast  aside  his  sword, 

Yielding  his  stubborn  pride  to  thy  command, 
With  humble  soul  the  God  of  Peace  ador'd, 

And  turn'd  repentant  to  his  native  land. 
Yes ;  from  that  memorable  hour, 
The  Western  World  has  own'd  thy  pow'r, 
And  though  Ambition's  frantic  strife 
Will  sometimes  blast  the  joys  of  life, 
Thy  influence  bade  her  feudal  discords  cease. 
And  taught  her  sons  the  nobler  arts  of  Peace. 
Before  the  brightness  of  thine  orient  ray, 
The  Shades  of  Prejudice  and  Error  fled, 
And  languid  Science  raised  her  drooping  head, 
To  greet  the  fervid  blaze  of  thy  advancing  day. 

EPODE  III. — IRREGULAR. 
Alas !  that  e'er  a  cloud  should  rise, 
To  dim  the  glories  of  thy  name — 
Or  little  jealousies  divide 
The  souls  by  kindred  vows  allied  ; 
But  see  !  while  thus  our  rites  we  blend, 
The  mingled  sacrifice  ascend, 
And,  borne  to  heaven  in  one  united  flame, 
Chase  every  ling'ring  shadow  from  the  skies. 
And  as  the  sea- worn  mariner, 
When  darkness  shrouds  each  guiding  star, 
With  transport  greets  the  polar  orb  of  light, 
Piercing  the  murky  veil  of  night ; 
Or  those  Iwin  stars,  whose  milder  beams  assuage 
The  tempest  in  its  wildest  rage, 
And  pours  his  tributary  strain 
To  the  propitious  rulers  of  the  main; 
Such  joy  is  ours :  be  such  the  lay 
That  celebrates  this  happy  day. 


860  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Join  then,  ye  sons  of  Art,  in  triumph  join  ! 
To  hail  the  ruling  star  of  Brunswick's  royal  line. 
And  ye  fraternal  stars  whose  gentle  sway 
Our  sever'd  powers  have  gloried  to  obey, 

EDWARD!  AUGUSTUS!  Hail!  illustrious  names ! 
Whose  princely  souls  confess  a  nearer  tie 
Thau  birth  and  kindred  blood  alone  supply, 

Accept  the  tribute  each  so  justly  claims  : 
While  thus  our  former  pledges  we  renew 
Of  grateful  homage  and  affection  true. 

And  though  to  one  aloue  be  given 
To  bear  the  ensign  of  supremo  command, 
And  rule  our  free  united  band ; 

In  all  our  orisons  to  Heav'n, 
Your  blended  names  shall  still  be  found, 
To  both  the  votive  goblet  shall  be  crown'd ; 
And  both,  while  life  and  memory  remain, 
Hold  in  our  grateful  hearts  your  undivided  reign. 

ANNIVERSARY  ODE. 

Composed  for  the  Annual  Meeting  of  (he  Glasgow  Ayrthire  Friendly 
Society,  25th  Jan.,  1820. 

THY  sorrows,  AYR,  are  like  the  dews  of  night, 

In  pearly  drops,  o'er  Nature's  cheek  descending, 
To  bid  her  vernal  beauty  beam  more  bright, 

The  tear  and  smile  in  lovely  union  blending; 
For  like  the  hymn  of  gratitude  ascending 

With  incense  ever  pleasing  to  the  skies, 
Thine  and  thy  darling  poet's  fame  extending, 

Thou  hear'st  the  voice  of  gratulation  rise. 
And  lo !  on  this  auspicious  holiday, 
The  Si-iis  of  Light  in  bright  array. 

With  many  a  mystic  streamer  flying, 
To  minstrelsy  with  measur'd  steps  advance, 
And  seem,  at  times,  to  weave  the  festive  dance, 
At  times  to  shake  the  spear  or  couch  the  lance, 

To  feet  unhallow'd  all  access  denying ; 
The  while  they  place,  by  plummet,  rule,  and  square. 
The  corner  stone  pre-destined  to  bear 
The  precious  monumental  pile, 
Of  Ayr  the  glory,  and  the  boast  of  Kyle. 

Though  f]rail  the  fabric  which  you  raise 

The  poet's  memory  to  prolong, 

Compared  with  that  which  speaks  his  praise, 

The  energy  divine  of  song : 

Yet  still  our  gratitude  is  due, 

Thrice-lov'd,  thrice  honour'd  friends,  to  you 

Wbo  bid  the  beauteous  structure  rise ; 
And  as  our  fond  regrets  were  one 
When  Coila  wept  her  favourite  son, 

So  in  your  joys  we  sympathize. 
When  the  whole  world  of  taste  and  feeling  turnf 
Its  gaze,  with  rapture  ever  new,  on 


OF    MASONRY.  361 

ANTHEM  I. 

"  LET  there  be  light!"— the  Almighty  spoke, 
Refulgent  streams  from  chaos  broke 

To  illume  the  rising  earth ! 
Well  pleas' d  the  Great  Jehovah  stood—- 
The Power  Supreme  pronounced  it  good, 
And  gave  the  planets  birth ! 
In  choral  numbers  Masons  join, 
To  bless  and  praise  this  light  divine. 


Parent  of  light !  accept  our  praise ! 
Who  shedd'st  on  us  thy  brightest  ravs, 

The  light  that  fills  his  mind. 
By  choice  selected,  lo !  we  stand, 
By  friendship  join'd,  a  social  band ! 

That  love — that  aid  mankind ! 
In  choral  numbers,  &c. 


The  widow's  tear — the  orphan's  cry, 
All  wants — our  ready  hands  supply, 

As  far  as  power  is  given  ! 
The  naked  clothe — the  prisoner  free ! 
These  are  thy  works,  sweet  Charity ! 

Reveal'd  to  us  from  heaven! 
In  choral  numbers,  &o. 


ANTHEM   II. 

By  HENRY  DAGGE,  Esq.,  sung  at  the  Founding  of  Ficemasotu1 

Hall. 

[Tune,  Rule,  Britannia.] 

To  Heaven's  high  Architect,  all  praise, 
All  praise,  all  gratitude  be  given  ; 

Who  deign'd  the  human  soul  to  raise 
By  mystic  secrets  sprung  from  heaven. 


CHORUS. 

Sound  aloud  the  great  Jehovah's  praise ; 
To  him  the  dome,  the  temple  raise. 


17 


362  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Thefollouting  ANTHEMS,  GLEES,  fyl:,  were  jter farmed  at  the 

Union. 

ANTHEM, 
Composed  by  Brother  WESLEV- 

(The  rocal  ports  in  this,  and  the  following  Pieces,  written  by  the 
R.  W.  Brother  Perry,  were  sustained  by  Brothers  Kelly,  Bellamy, 
Taylor,  Phillips,  Pyne,  Dignum,  Leete,  Evans,  Clark,  &c.,  &c.) 

BEHOLD  !  how  good  a  thing  it  is, 

And  how  becoming  well, 
For  Brethren  such  as  Masons  are, 

In  unity  to  dwell. 

Oh !  'tis  like  ointment  on  the  head, 

Or  dew  on  Sion  hill ! 
For  then  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  said. 

Peace  shall  be  with  you  still. 

SONG, 

Composed  by  Brother  KELLY. 

MOUNTAINS  may  fall,  and  rocks  decay, 
And  isle  on  isle  be  swept  away — 

But  Masonry's  primeval  truth, 
Un broke  by  force,  unchanged  by  time, 

Shall  bloom  in  renovated  youth, 
And  energy  sublime. 

GLEE, 

Composed  by  Brother  KELLY. 

Lo !  see  from  Heaven  the  peaceful  dove, 

With  olive-branch  descend ! 
AUGUSTUS  shall  with  EDWARD  join. 

All  rivalry  to  end ; 
And  taught  by  their  fraternal  love, 
Our  arms,  our  hearts  shall  intertwine, 

The  union  to  approve. 

CHORUS, 

Composed  by  Brother  KELLY. 

Royal  AUGUSTUS  FREDERICK,  hail! 
For  now,  beneath  the  BRUNSWICK  line, 

Our  system  shall  prevail : 
O'er  all  the  earth,  with  truths  divine, 

Shall  Masonry  extend  its  sway, 

Till  time  itself  shall  pass  away. 
In  unity  to  shine. 


OF    MASONRY.  868 

GLEE, 
Composed  by  Brother  KELLY. 

THE  well-known  sign  we  mark,  and  fly 
The  wound  to  heal — to  still  the  sigh — 
And  wipo  the  tear  from  sorrow's  eye. 
For  our's  the  aim  is,  our's  the  art 
To  meliorate  the  human  heart : 
Of  wild  desires  to  stem  the  flood, 
And  act  as  if  of  kindred  blood. 

SONG, 
Composed  by  Brother  KELLY. 

HARK  !  I  hear  the  Warden  call — 

"  Masons,  to  your  sports  away; 
"  Join  the  banquet  in  the  hall ; 

44  Give  your  hearts  a  holiday  J" 

When  around  the  festive  bowl, 

We  delight  in  song  and  glee  ; 
Gay  and  open  is  the  soul 

When  it  feels  secure  and  free. 

Joyous  as  the  jest  goes  round, 

Taunt  nor  gibe  can  Masons  fear ; 
None,  by  sacred  pledges  bound, 

Prate  again  of  what  they  hear. 

When  we  toast  the  fair  we  prize, 

Not  a  tongue  shall  slander  tell ; 
Masons'  hearts,  by  honour's  ties, 

Guard  the  sex  they  love  so  well. 

And  though  we  fill  our  glasses  high, 

Feeling  still  shall  warm  the  breast ; 
We  have  not  left  the  poor  man  dry — 

So  the  cheerful  cup  is  blest. 

GLEE, 
Composed  by  Brother  ATTWOOD,  for  three  Voices 

IN  Masons'  hearts  let  joy  abound  ! 
Let  the  fraternal  health  go  round ! 
Fill  up  the  bowl,  then  !— fill  it  high  ! 
Fill  all  the  goblets  there  ! — for  why 
When  Masons  meet  should  they  be  dry  ? 
Why,  sons  of  candour,  tell  me  why? 

Our  work  is  done.     We've  fed  the  poor; 
We've  chased  the  wolf  from  sorrow's  door, 
Fill  up  the  bowl,  then  !— fill  it  high ! 
Fill  all  the  goblets  there  ! — for  why 
Should  ev'ry  mortal  drink  but  I  ? 
Why,  sons  of  mortals,  tell  me  why  ? 


364  ILLUSTRATIONS 

SONG  I. 
[Tune,  Attic  Fire.] 

ARISE,  and  blow  thy  trumpet,  Fame  J 
Freemasonry  aloud  proclaim 

To  realms  and  worlds  unknown : 
Tell  them,  'twas  this  gn-at  David's  son 
The  wise,  the  matchless  Solomon, 

Priz'd  far  above  his  throne. 

The  solemn  temples !  cloud-capt  towers, 
Th'  aspiring  domes,  are  works  of  ours ; 

By  us  those  piles  were  rais'd: 
Then  bid  mankind  with  songs  advance, 
And  through  th'  ethereal  vast  expanse 

Let  Masonry  be  prai*'d  ! 

We  help  the  poor  in  time  of  need, 
The  naked  clothe,  the  hungry  feed, 

'Tis  our  foundation-stone; 
We  build  upon  the  noblest  plan,       )  ^n 
For  friendship  rivets  man  to  man,    >  «    • 

And  makes  us  all  as  one.  )* 

Still  louder,  Fame  !  thy  trumpet  blow  ! 
Let  all  the  distant  regions  know 

Freemasonry  is  this  • 
Almighty  wisdom  gave  it  birth, 
And  Heaven  has  fix'd  it  here  on  earth, 

A  type  of  future  bliss  ! 

SONG  II. 
[Tune,  Rule,  Britannia.  t 

ERE  God  the  universe  began. 

In  one  rude  chaos  matter  lay, 
And  wild  disorder  overran, 

Nor  knew  of  light  one  glimmering  ray 
While  in  darkness  o'er  the  whole 
Confusion  reign'd  without  control. 

Then  God  arose,  his  thunders  hurl'd, 
And  bade  the  elements  arise  ; 

In  air  he  hung  the  pendent  world, 
And  o'er  it  spread  the  azure  skies ; 

Stars  in  circles  caus'd  to  run, 

And  in  the  centre  fix'd  the  sun. 

Then  man  he  call'd  forth  out  of  dust, 
And  form'd  him  with  a  living  soul 

All  things  committed  to  his  trust, 
And  made  him  ruler  of  the  whole : 

But,  ungrateful  unto  Heaven, 

The  rebel  was  from  Eden  driven. 


OF    MASONRY.  366 

From  thence  proceeded  all  our  woes, 
Nor  could  mankind  one  comfort  cheer; 

Until  Freemasonry  arose, 

And  form'd  another  Eden  here  : 

'Tis  only  on  Masonic  ground 

Pleasure  with  innocence  is  found. 

'Tis  here  the  purest  fountains  flow, 

Here  nought  corrupt  can  enter  in : 
Here  trees  of  knowledge  stately  grow, 

Whose  fruit  we  taste,  exempt  from  sin ; 
In  friendship  sweet  we  still  abound, 
While  guardian  angels  hover  round. 


SONG  III. 

By  J.  F.  STANFIELD,  Sunderland. 
A  MASTER-MASON'S  SONG.     [Tune,  To  Anameon  in  Heaven.} 

NOT  the  fictions  of  Greece,  nor  the  dreams  of  old  Rome, 

Shall  with  visions  mislead,  or  with  meteors  consume ; 

No  Pegasus'  wings  my  short  soarings  misguide, 

Nor  raptures  detain  me  on  Helicon's  side, 

All  clouds  now  dissolve ;  from  the  east  beams  the  day — 

Truth  rises  in  glory,  and  wakens  the  lay. 

The  eagle-ey'd  muse — sees  the  light — fills  the  grove 

With  the  song  of  Freemasons,  of  friendship  and  love ! 

Inspired  with  the  theme,  the  divinity  flies, 
And,  thron'd  on  a  rainbow,  before  her  arise 
Past,  present,  and  future,  with  splendid  array, 
In  Masonic  succession,  their  treasures  display ; 
She  views  murder' d  merit  by  ruffian-hand  fall, 
And  the  grave  give  its  dead  up,  at  fellowship's  call ! 
While  the  Craft,  by  their  badges,  their  innocence  prove ; 
And  the  song  of  Freemasons  is — friendship  and  love ! 

From  those  ages  remote  see  the  muse  speeds  her  way, 
To  join  in  the  glories  the  present  display. 
In  freedom  and  friendship  she  sees  the  true  band 
With  their  splendour  and  virtues  illumine  the  land. 
Eeligion's  pure  beams  break  the  vapours  of  night, 
And  from  darkness  mysterious  the  word  gives  the  light ! 
While  the  Lodge  here  below,  as  the  choirs  from  above, 
Join  the  song  of  Freemasons,  in  friendship  and  love ! 

That  the  future  might  keep  what  the  present  bestows, 

In  rapture  prophetic  the  goddess  arose  ; 

As  she  sung  through  the  skies,  angels  echo'd  the  sound* 

Arid  the  winds  bore  the  notes  to  the  regions  around ; 

The  kind  proclamation  our  song  shall  retain ; 

'Twas — "that  Masonry  long  may  its  lustre  maintain: 

44  And  till  Time  be  no  more,  our  fraternity  prove, 

44  That  the  objects  we  aim  at,  are  friendship  and  love  !" 


360  ILLUSTRATIONS 

SONG  IV. 

Written  and  composed  for  the  Masonic  Meeting,  by  a  Lady  of  Bath . 
and  sung  by  Brother  A.  LOADER,  at  the  Banquet  at  Kingston 
Rooms. 

ALL  hail!  ye  dear  lov'd  social  band. 

The  boast,  the  glory  of  our  land ! 

Whose  mystic  meetings  ever  prove 

The  feast  of  Charity  and  Love. 

Though  far  apart,   where'er  ye  tread, 

Alike  by  one  great  motive  led, 

In  heavenly  union  still  ye  move, 

The  friends  of  Charity  and  Love. 

What  though  without  the  tempest  raves, 

The  loyal  heart  caeli  danger  braves; 

Within  these  walls  no  murmurs  sound, 

Here,  Love  and  Peace  are  ever  found; 

Here,  brother's  hand  to  brother's  joined, 

Bespeaks  the   union  of  the  mind  : 

Then   fill  the  sparkling  goblet  high  ; 

For  Church  and   King,   we  live  or  die; 

To  thee,  illustrious  Prince,  we  raise 

A  lasting  monument   of  praise 

In  hearts  from  which  thy  hommr'd  name 

The   warmest  gratitude   may   claim; 

Hearts  which,  in  brother's  love  close  bound. 

To  thee  will  eYr  be  faithful  found; 

And  still,  as  now,   united  sing 

Long  live  our  Prince  ! — God  save  our  King ! 

SONG  V. 
Composed  by  Mr.  BOSWELL. 

VAIN  thought !  but  had  Burns  ever  witness'd  a  meeting 
Of  souls  so  congenial,  and  warm'd  with  such  fire, 

The  wild  flow  of  fancy  in  ecstacy  greeting, 

Ah !  what  might  have  been  the  bold  notes  of  his  lyre  ? 

As  rays  by  reflection  are  doubled,  and  doubled, 
His  bosom  had  swell'd  to  your  cheering  reply ; 

Soft  sympathy  soothing  the  heart  that  was  troubled — 
A  smile  for  his  mirth — for  his  sorrow  a  sigh. 

Admir'd,  but  unaided,  how  dark  was  his  story  ; 

His  struggles  we  know,  and  his  efforts  we  prize ; 
From  murky  neglect,  as  the  flame  bursts  to  glory, 

He  rose,  self-embalm'd,  and  detraction  defies. 

A  ploughman  he  was : — would  that  smiles  of  false  favour 
Had  never  decoyed  him  from  home  and  his  team; 

And  taught  all  his  hope  and  his  wishes  to  waver, 
And,  snatching  reality,  left  him — a  dream. 


OK    MASONRY.  367 

To  rank  and  to  title,  due  deference  owing, 

We  bow,  as  befitting  society's  plan  ; 
But  judgment  awoken' d,  and  sympathy  glowing, 

Wo  pass  all  distinctions,  and  rest  upon — Man. 

And  from  the  poor  hind,  who,  his  day's  task  completed 

With  industry's  pride  to  his  hovel  returns, 
To  him,  who  in  royalty's  splendour  is  seated, 

If  soul  independent  be  found,  'twas  in  BURNS. 

His  birth-right,  his  muse !  like  the  lark  in  the  morning, 
How  blithely  he  caroll'd  in  praise  of  the  fair ; 

With  nature  enraptur'd,  and  artifice  scorning, 

How  sweet  were  his  notes  on  the  banks  of  the  Ayr ! 

And  near  to  that  spot  where  his  kindred  dust  slumbers, 
And  mark'd  by  the  bard  on  the  tablets  of  fame, 

And  near  the  thatch'd  shed  where  he  first  lisp'd  in  numbers, 
We'll  raise  a  proud  tribute  to  honour  his  name. 

SONG  VI. 

[Tune,  Rural  Felicity.] 
YE  dull  stupid  mortals,  give  o'er  your  conjectures, 

Since  Freemasons'  secrets  ye  ne'er  can  obtain ; 
The  Bible  and  compasses  are  our  directors, 

And  shall  be  as  long  as  the  world  doth  remain. 
Here  Friendship  inviting,  here  Freedom  delighting, 
Our  moments  in  innocent  mirth  we  employ. 

CHORUS. 

Come,  see.  Masons'  felicity, 

Working  and  singing  with  hearts  full  of  joy. 

No  other  society  that  you  can  mention, 

Which  has  been,  is  now,  or  hereafter  shall  be, 

However  commendable  be  its  intention, 
Can  ever  compare  with  divine  Masonry. 

No  envy,  no  quarrels,  can  here  blast  our  laurels, 
No  passion  our  pleasure  can  ever  annoy. 
Cho.     Come,  see,  &c. 

To  aid  one  another  we  always  are  ready ; 

Our  rites  and  our  secrets  we  carefully  guard ; 
The  Lodge  to  support,  we  like  pillars  are  steady ; 

No  Babel  confusion  our  work  can  retard. 
Ye  mortals,  come  hither,  assemble  together, 

And  taste  of  those  pleasures  which  never  can  cloy 
Cho.     Come,  see,  &c. 

We  are  to  the  Master  for  ever  obedient, 

Whenever  he  calls,  to  the  Lodge  wo  repair; 

Experience  has  taught  us  that  'tis  most  expedient 
To  live  within  compass  and  act  on  the  square. 

Let  mutual  agreement  be  Freemasons'  cement, 
Until  the  whole  universe  time  shall  destroy. 
Cho.     Come,  see,  &c. 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


SONG  VII. 
[Tune,  Ye  Lads  of  true  spirit,  pay  Courtship  to  Olaret.] 

IN  times  of  old  date,  when  (as  stories  relate) 

Good  men  to  the  gods  hud  admission, 
When  those  who  were  griev'd  might  with  ease  be  reliev'd 

By  offering  un  humble  petition  ; 
Some  few  who  remaiii'd  in  their  morals  unstuin'd, 

Submissively  made  application 
To  build  a  retreat,  if  the  gods  should  think  meet, 

To  shield  them  from  wicked  invasion. 

Delighted  to  find  there  were  yet  in  mankind 

Some  laudable  sentiments  planted, 
Without  hesitation  they  gave  approbation, 

And  instant  their  wishes  were  granted. 
Then  for  artists  they  sought,  and  fain'd  architects  brought, 

Who  the  various  employments  were  skill'd  in  ; 
Each  handled  his  tools  and  by  science  and  rules 

They  straightway  proceeded  to  building. 

Fair  Wisdom  began  first  to  sketch  out  the  plan 

By  which  they  were  all  to  be  guided  ; 
Each  order  she  made  was  exactly  obey'd, 

When  the  portion  of  work  she  divided. 
The  great  corner-stone  was  by  Charity  done, 

But  Strength  was  the  principal  builder; 
When  for  mortar  they  cried,  'twas  by  Friendship  supply'd, 

And  Beauty  was  carver  and  gilder. 

Having  long  persever'd,  a  grand  temple  they  reorM. 

A  refuge  from  folly  and  scandal, 
Where  all  who  reside  are  in  Virtue  employ'd, 

Nor  fear  the  attacks  of  a  Vandal. 
But  if  in  their  rage  they  should  ever  engage 

In  the  attempt,  'twould  be  always  prevented  ; 
The  door  is  so  high,  'twould  be  madness  to  try, 

And  the  walls  are  all  strongly  cemented. 

The  gods  all  agreed  'twas  an  excellent  deed, 

And,  to  show  the  affection  they  bore  'em, 
A  treasure  they  gave,  which  the  tenants  still  have. 

Secured  in  the  sanctum  sanctorum. 
Thus  blessed  from  above  with  a  token  of  love, 

Each  brother  with  joy  should  receive  it: 
Safe  lock'd  in  his  heart,  it  should  never  depart, 

Til!  call'd  for  by  Heaven  that  gave  it. 


OF    MASONRY.  369 

SONG  VIII. 

Written  ly  the  EDITOR,  and  intended  to  have  been  sung  at  the  Grand 
Feast,  May  11,  1796. 

[Tune,  Hearts  of  Oak.] 

A  SYSTEM  more  pure  ne'er  was  modell'd  by  man, 
Than  that  which  we  boast  as  the  Freemasons'  plan ; 
It  unites  all  the  world  by  the  strongest  of  ties, 
And  adds  to  men's  bliss,  while  it  makes  them  more  wise. 

From  the  prince  to  the  boor, 

Be  he  rich,  be  he  poor, 

A  Mason  is  a  brother, 

And  each  will  help  the  other ; 
So  grateful  the  tie  is  of  Freemasonry. 

That  hence  flow  the  purest  enjoyments  of  life, 
That  banish'd  from  hence  are  dissension  and  strife, 
That  the  lessons  are  good  which  we  practise  and  teach, 
Are  truths  that  our  foes  vainly  strive  to  impeach. 
From  the  prince,  &c. 

The  greatest  of  monarchs,  the  wisest,  and  best, 
Have  Masons  become,  and  been  true  to  the  test ; 
And  still  with  royal  sanction  our  rites  are  pursu'd, 
Approv'd  by  the  wise,  and  admir'd  by  the  good. 
From  the  prince,  &c. 

To  George  our  good  king  much  affection  we  owe ; 
To  his  health  let  libations  with  due  honours  flow ; 
With  zeal  let  "Our  Royal  Grand  Master"  be  giv'n, 
And  the  blessings  of  Masons  be  sanctioned  by  Heav'n. 
From  the  prince,  &c. 

As  the  task  were  too  tedious  the  deeds  to  record 
Of  the  great  and  the  good  that  our  annals  afford ; 
In  a  word,  let  us  vouch  for  this  truth  to  mankind, 
There's  no  temple  more  pure  than  the  true  Mason's  mind. 
From  the  prince,  &c. 

SONG  IX. 
[Tune,  Goddess  of  Ease.] 

GENIUS  of  Masonry,  descend, 

And  with  thee  bring  thy  spotless  train  : 
Constant  our  sacred  rites  attend, 

While  we  adore  thy  peaceful  reign ; 
Bring  with  tliee  Virtue,  brightest  maid, 

Bring  Love,  bring  Truth,  bring  Friendship  here  \ 
While  social  Mirth  shall  lend  her  aid, 

To  smooth  the  wrinkled  brow  of  Care. 

Come,  Charity,  with  goodness  crown'd. 

Encircled  in  thy  heavenly  robe, 
Diffuse  thy  blessings  all  around, 

To  every  corner  of  the  globe. 
17* 


370  ILLUSTRATIONS 

See  where  she  comes,  with  power  to  bless 
With  open  hand  and  tender  heart, 

Which  wounded  feels  at  man's  <li>: 
And  bleeds  at  every  human  smart. 

Envy  may  every  ill  devise, 

And  falsehood  be  thy  deadliest  foe, 
Thou,  Friendship,  still  shalt  towering  rise. 

And  sink  thine  adversaries  low: 
Thy  well-built  pile  shall  long  endure, 

Through  rolling  years  preserve  its  prinu 
Upon  a  rock  it  stands  secure, 

And  braves  the  rude  assaults  of  time. 

Ye  happy  few,  who  here  extend, 

In  perfect  lines  from  east  to  west, 
With  fervent  zeal  the  Lodge  defend, 

And  look  its  secrets  in  each  breast: 
Since  ye  are  met  upon  the  square, 

Hid  love  and  friendship  jointly  reign; 
Be  peace  and  harmony  your  care, 

Nor  break  the  adamantine  chain. 

Behold  the  planets,  how  they  move, 

Yet  keep  due  order  as  they  run ; 
Then  imitate  tin-  stars  above, 

And  shine  resplendent  as  the  sun: 
That  future  Masons,  when  they  meet, 

May  all  our  glorious  deeds  rehearse. 
And  say,  their  fathers  were  so  great, 

That  they  adorned  the  universe. 


SONG    X. 
[Tune,  Arno's    Vale.} 

WHEN  my  divine  Althaea's  charms 
No  more  shall  kindle  soft  alarms, 
And  the  keen  lightning  of  her  eye 
Passes  unfelt,  unheeded  by; 
When  Moral  Beauty's  heavenly  form 
Shall  cease  the  frozen  snow  to  warm ; 
When  manners  thus  corrupt  we  see, 
Farewell  the  sweets  of  Masonry  • 

When  Science  shall  withdraw  her  light, 
And  Error  spread  a  Gothic  night ; 
When  Pity's  sacred  source  is  dry. 
No  pearly  drop  to  melt  the  eye ; 
When  Truth  shall  hide  her  blushing  head. 
And  famish'd  Virtue  beg  her  bread'; 
When  manners  thus  corrupt  we  see, 
Farewell  the  sweets  of  Masonry  ! 


OF    MASONRY.  371 

But  while  the  fair  transport  our  sight, 
And  Moral  Beauty's  charms  delight ; 
While  Science  lifts  her  torch  on  high. 
And  Pity  shows  the  melting  eye ; 
While  Truth  maintains  despotic  power. 
And  Virtue  charms  without  a  dower  ; 
While  manners  thus  unstain'd  we  see, 
All  hail,  the  sweets  of  Masonry  ! 


SONG  XI. 


THE  DEPUTY  GRAND  MASTER'S  SONG. 

ON,  on,  my  dear  Brethren,  pursue  your  great  lecture, 
Refine  on  the  precepts  of  old  architecture ; 
High  honour  to  Masons  the  Craft  daily  brings, 
Who  are  brothers  of  Princes,  and  fellows  of  Kings. 

We  drove  the  rude  Vandals  and  Goths  off  the  stage, 
Reviving  the  art  of  Augustus'  fain'd  age ; 
And  Vespasian  destroy'd  the  vast  temple  in  vain. 
Since  so  many  now  rise  where  our  principles  reign. 

The  noble  five  orders,  compos' d  with  such  art, 
Will  amaze  the  fix'd  eye,  and  engage  the  whole  heart ; 
Proportion's  sweet  harmony  gracing  the  whole, 
Gives  our  work,  like  the  glorious  creation,  a  soul. 

Then  Master  and  Brethren,  preserve  your  great  name. 
This  Lodge  so  majestic  will  purchase  you  fame ; 
Rever'd  it  shall  stand  till  all  nature  expire, 
And  its  glories  ne'r  fade  till  the  world  is  on  fire. 

See,  see,  behold  here,  what  rewards  all  our  toil, 
Invigorates  genius,  and  bids  nature  smile  : 
To  our  noble  Grand  Master  let  bumpers  Jbe  crown'd. 
To  all  Masons  a  bumper,  so  let  it  go  round. 

Again  my  lov'd  Brethren,  again  let  it  pass. 
Our  ancient  firm  union  cements  with  the  glass : 
And  all  the  contention  'mong  Masons  shall  be, 
Who  better  can  work,  or  who  better  agree. 


SONG  XII. 
A  FELLOW-CRAFT'S    SONG.     [Tune,  Rule,  Britannia] 

HAIL,  Masonry,  thou  Craft  divine  ! 

Glory  of  earth,  from  heav'n  reveal'd ; 

Which  doth  with  jewels  precious  shine, 

From  all  but  Masons'  eyes  conceal'*]  : 

Thy  praises  due,  who  can  rehearse, 

In  nervous  prose,  or  flowing  verse  ? 


372 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

All  craftsmen  true  distinguish  'd  are  , 

Our  code  all  other  laws  excels  : 
And  what's  in  knowledge  choice  and  rare, 
Within  our  breasts  securely  dwells. 
The  silent  breast,  the  faithful  heart, 
Preserve  the  secrets  of  the  art. 

From  scorching  heat  and  piercing  cold, 

From  beasts,  whose  roar  the  forest  rends  ; 
From  the  assaults  of  warrior's  bold, 
The  Mason's  art  mankind  defends. 
Be  to  this  art  due  honour  paid, 
From  which  mankind  receives  such  aid 

Ensigns  of  state  that  feed  our  pride, 
Distinctions  troublesome  and  vain, 
By  Masons  true  are  laid  aside  — 

Art's  free-born  sons  such  toys  disdain  ; 
Ennobled  by  the  name  they  bear, 
Distinguish'd  by  the  badge  they  wear 

Sweet  fellowship,  from  envy  free, 

Friendly  converse  of  brotherhood; 
The  Lodge's  lasting  cement  be, 
Which  has  for  ages  firmly  stood. 
A  Lodge  thus  built,  for  ages  past 
Has  lasted,  and  shall  ever  last. 

Then  let  us  celebrate  the  praise 

Of  all  who  have  enriched  the  art; 
Let  gratitude  our  voices  raise, 

And  each  true  brother  bear  a  part. 

Let  cheerful  strains  their  fame  resound. 
And  living  Masons'  healths  go  round. 

SONG  XIII. 
[Tune,  In  Infancy,  &c.] 

LET  Masonry  from  pole  to  pole 

Her  sacred  laws  expand, 
Far  as  the  mighty  waters  roll, 

To  wash  remotest  land  ; 
That  Virtue  has  not  left  mankind, 

Her  social  Maxims  prove  ! 
For  stamp'd  upon  the  Mason's  mind 

Are  unity  and  love. 

Ascending  to  her  native  sky, 

Let  Masonry  increase  ; 
A  glorious  pillar  rais'd  on  high. 

Integrity  its  base. 
Peace  adds  to  olive  boughs,  entwin'd, 

An  emblematic  dove, 
As  stamp'  d  upon  tho  Mason's  mind      S^\*^  §  R  A 

Are  unity  and  love.  '^ 


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Subordinate  Commanderies ;  a  List  of  the  Orders  of  Knighthood 
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JOHN  W.  SIMONS,  P.  G.  M.  Flexible  Cover— full  gilt,  75  cents.  Tuck 
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MANUAL  OF  THE  CHAPTER;    a  Monitor   for  Royal  Arch 

Masonry,  containing  the  Degrees  of  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  Most 
Excellent  Master,  and  Royal  Arch ;  together  with  the  Order  of  High- 
Priesthood  ;  the  Ceremonies  for  Installing  the  Officers  of  a  Chapter, 
with  Forms  of  Masonic  Documents.  By  JOHN  SHEVILLE,  Past  Grand 
High-Priest  of  New  Jersey,  and  JAMES  L.  GOULD,  Deputy  Grand  High- 
Priest  of  Connecticut.  32mo.  Scarlet  and  gold 75 

SIGNET  OF  KING  SOLOMON  ;  or,  the  Freemason's  Daughter. 
By  AUG.  C.  L.  ARNOLD,  LL.D.  Splendidly  Illustrated 1  25 

FREEMASON'S  MONITOR  ;   or,  Illustrations  of  Masonry.    By 

THOMAS  SMITH  WEBB,  Masonic  Lecturer.  With  Portrait,  and!  Embel- 
lished. Cloth v. 75 

THE  REVELATIONS  OF  A  SQUARE,  exhibiting  a  graphic  dis- 
play of  the  Sayings  and  Doings  of  Eminent  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
from  the  Revival  in  1717,  by  Dr.  Desaguliers,  to  the  Reunion  in  1813. 
By  GEO.  OLIVER,  D.  D.  Royal  duodecimo.  Cloth,  $1  50.  Half 
Morocco t 2  50 

FAMILIAR  TREATISE  ON  THE  PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF 
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RATIONALE  AND  ETHICS  OF  FREEMASONRY  ;  or,  the  Masonic 

Institution  considered  as  a  means  of  Social  and  Individual  Progress. 

By  Auo.  C.  L.  ARNOLD,  LL.D.    Cloth,  $1  50.    Half  Morocco 2  50 

FREEMASON'S  HAND-BOOK.    By  WM.  H.  DREW Cloth,  75. 

Tuck 1  00 

ORIGIN  AND  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  MASONRY.  By  G.  W. 
STEINBRENHBB 1  00 

STATUTES  OF  THE  ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  RITE.    By  A. 
PIKE 8  00 


TlTE  BOOK  OF  THE  ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  SCOTTISH  RlTE 
OP  FREEMASONRY:  containing  Instructions  in  all  the  Degrees 
from  the  Third  to  the  Thirty-third  and  Last  Degree  of  the  Rite,  to- 
gether with  Ceremonies  of  Inauguration,  Institution,  Installation, 
Grand  Visitations,  Refections,  Lodges  of  Sorrow,  Adoption,  Consti- 
tutions, General  Regulations,  Calendar,  etc.  By  CHARLES  T.  McCLEN- 
ACHAN,  33°.  Evtfidluhed  with  -upwards  of  300  finely-executed  en- 
gravings, nearly  all  of  which  are  from  original  designs.  Cloth,  gilt,  $5  00 

MASONIC  LAW  AND  PRACTICE,  WITH  FORMS.    By  LUKE  A. 

LOCKWOOD,  Past  Grand  High-Priest  of  Connecticut 1  00 

DBS  FREIMAURER'S  HANDBUCH  ( German) 75 

MORAL  DESIGN  or  FREEMASONRY.     By  S.  LAWRENCE 1  00 

BOOK  OF  THE  CHAPTER.     By  A.  G.  MACKE Y,  M.  D 1  76 

MASONIC  VOCAL  MANUAL.     By  ROBERT  MACOY per  doz.  3  00 

MANUAL  DE  LA  MASONERIA  (Spanish).   By  A.  CASSARD 10  00 

HISTORY  OF  THE  ANCIENT  AND  ACCEPTED  RITE.    By  ROBT.  B.  FOLOKR.  6  00 

LEXICON  OF  FREEMASONRY.    By  A.  G.  MACKEY 3  00 

MASONIC  JURISPRUDENCE.    By  A.  G.  MACKEY 2  00 

POCKET  LIBRARY  AND  WORKING  MONITOR.    By  CHASE 1  50 

MANUAL  OF  THE  LODGE.    By  A.  G.  MACKEY  '. 1  75 

FREEMASON'S  MANUAL.    By  K.  J.  STEWART 1  60 

MASONIC  TRESTLE-BOARD.     By  C.  W.  MOORE 1  75 

KEYSTONE  OF  THE  MASONIC  ARCH.    By  CHARLES  SCOTT 1  25 

MASTER  WORKMAN.    By  JOHN  K.  HALL Tuck,  75 

MASONIC  HARP.    By  GEORGE  W.  CHASE 100 

JURYMAN  MASON.    By  an  ENGLISH  RECTOR 25 

OUTLINES  OF  SPECULATIVE  FREEMASONRY.     By  TOWN 20 

MASON  IN  HIGH  PLACES.    By  an  ENGLISH  RECTOR 20 

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VISITORS'  BOOK 3  50 

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